families

I MADE IT!!!!!

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hearts_sWords just don’t express all of the feelings that I have today, seeing all of the posts, comments, likes, presents, and joy that I am experiencing here on my 80th birthday.  Somehow I never was that sure that I would actually make this birthday a reality.  For 62 of those years I have been an adult, and just about everything that I ever really wanted to do, I have at least tried.  I have been married for 57 of those years, but it has taken three husbands to do it. Children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren have surrounded me most of my life.  I have lived in many different states, traveled whenever I had the opportunity, lived in mobile homes, apartments, houses, and even a camper during summer work in the Colorado mountains. My work usually took me to offices or banks or libraries, where I always enjoyed my work and the contacts with so many people.  For eight years I sold fruit at the Farmers Market with my husband, Bob, a lifelong farmer.  Now I am a writer, a poet,  a meditator, an avid reader, in love with my Ipad, and all of the wonderful things I can do with it, and the friends that I can meet. 

Having a major birthday is a great time to look around me, both to look back, and to look forward, and to see all of the blessings that surround me.  Thank you all my friends and family.  When I look at all of the names on the posts, I see all of the various stages of my life, and I wouldn’t get rid of any of them.  While there are always things that I could have done differently and much better, I am really happy to have arrived at this point, and know that all is well, no matter what. 

REMEMBERING

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Remembering all the times you listened to us when we were troubled.

Remembering that you thought we were survivors, no matter what.

Remembering that we could always call you just for reassurance.

Remembering the times you were so exasperated with us you wanted

to shake us.

Remembering your courage as you struggled to get out of the car

with your cane.

Remembering you waiting on your loved ones when they were too

blind to see.

Remembering the tons of flowers and hundreds of cards when you

left this world one summer morning.

Remembering your smiles, your hugs, and your generous spirit that

encouraged us all.

Remembering you every time we see a white-haired older lady walking,

intent upon getting somewhere by herself, cane in hand.

Remembering every time we realize there is no house to go to, no

telephone call to make, no one waiting for our arrival.

Remembering, always remembering that you showed us all how to

love one another, no matter what!sept 011 neng fall 020

FOR A SON ON A QUIET NIGHT

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2012 panasonic florida 543

FOR A SON ON A QUIET NIGHT

 

It is a quiet night and I lay here dreaming of a far off time.

The children are small and they are in my care.

I am responsible and I watch for their happiness.

I see the smiles and I hear the childish laughter of their voices.

I feel the emotions that beset us all so long ago,

And I remember, oh how I remember the delight of watching

them grow.

 

And now I am filled with the pride of watching these sons grow,

Children no more, fathers in word and in deed,

And I am no longer responsible,

But I watch for their happiness.

And I am so grateful the sons have grown into men.

THINKING ABOUT MY YESTERDAYS

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Hot summer days lying on the beach,

Running and diving into the waves of an ever cool Lake Michigan,

Getting pulled off of our feet by the strong undertow of the water,

Riding our bikes without an adult on the five mile trip to the beach,

Curled up in the crotch of our biggest oak tree, reading my favorite book,

Playing hop scotch on the sidewalk on our city streets,

Walking to school so that we could do tricks on the Jungle Gym,

Cleaning Venetian  blinds for my mother with a mitten on my hand,

Working in our vegetable garden, pulling tomato worms off of the vines,

Picnics at a roadside park when we went for a Sunday afternoon drive,

Remembering the heat in church and all of the ladies fanning themselves,

Roasting hot dogs and marsh mellows at a bonfire at the State Park.

Watching the double features at the movie theaters downtown,

Eating a hot fudge sundae at the old Occidental Hotel ice cream shop after the show,

Listening to my serial radio shows like “Superman” every weekday afternoon,

Cleaning my room under protest, every Saturday morning,

Watching the Muskegon Lassies play softball, as part of the “Knothole Gang”‘

As I sit here on another summer moPanasonic Misc 2012 698rning I remember anew

my parents, brothers and sisters, cousins, my  family and friends,

All of whom gave me a wonderful childhood to look back at and to be grateful for.

Those were the days, my friends, those were the days!