Good-Bye To Shorty...

Tonight we say good bye and good luck to Shorty…
We never know where life will take us…
And we never know when death will shake us…
So we have to enjoy the years & the life given to us.

Some people you have met share this night
And even though many of us want to hold you tight,
And keep you here, we know that wouldn’t be right.

We’ll hold back the tears, with memories of time,
Nights at the movies…painted nails…and blogs that rhyme.
We’ve all experienced some crazy times, some almost a crime!

Life is so fragile and love is so pure,
That saying good-bye seems so unsure.
We can’t hold onto you, although some of us try,
We don’t want you to disappear, and we don’t know why.

Frank is a new friend,
You have recently met,
But even he knows that your special
From all the love that you get.

Tracy will always support you,
You’re a part of the Doyle Clan,
And no matter where life brings you,
She will always be you biggest fan!

Bryan found a friend in you,
More than he’d ever thought he’s experience,
A brotherhood spirit; a friendship that grew and grew.

Alex has a special little place
Where her man-beast will reside,
Where all night IM’s and phone calls
Brought friendship, closeness, and pride.

Katie is your special friend
For which friendship knows no bounds,
And your voice, your fun, and your laughter
Will always be her favorite sounds.

And for me, your friendship was easy,
From the first day I met you,
For your karma with Katie spoke volumes,
So I wanted to keep you real and true.

So as we say goodbye to Shorty,
To Christian, to Aube, and YOU,
Know that friendship never ends
Just because you got in a plane and flew.

Friendship is a measure of time,
Of what you keep alive,
It commands respect & loving time
In order for it to properly survive.

So look around this table,
And think what each of us brings,
Whether it is a funny memory,
The Wii, talks, or other things.

Take the spirit from each of us,
And pack it in your heart,
For that, my friend, is all you need,
When you begin your brand new start.

Good-bye to Mr. Aube,
A friend we lovingly let go,
To start a brand new chapter,
We’ll miss you more than we know.

Keep in touch with each of us,
As your schedule will allow,
And bridge this gap
With your dreams and your vows.

And if you ever really need us,
You know we’ll be right here,
To laugh with you and cry with you,
But to always bring you cheer.

Go forth and make yourself happy,
And become the man who can achieve,
For we want you to feel successful,
Like a paper clip on your sleeve.

Good-Bye my friend.
Good-Bye my brother,
Good-Bye My son,
It has really been fun!

Katie's Cross To Bear...

Have you ever been in a church?
Do you find it a scary place?
Does religion make you nervous?
Do you feel out of God's Grace?

My friend Katie felt that way,
or just nervous at what it meant,
not knowing what to really do,
unless it was a special event.

So Katie avoided the church,
the building and the Pews,
until this Reformation Sunday,
when Alex's confirmation came due.

Katie walked in the church,
and sat in the pews,
she watched and she listened,
we all know it was new.

Her blood did not boil,
she didn't scream out in pain,
she simply supported her friend,
she sat in the pew and remained.

And for her venture in,
the service was extra long,
but Katie was always pleasant,
and acted like she belonged.

When the service was over,
what was left was the best,
Alex confirmed in her faith,
and Katie not feeling stressed!

We snapped the memory pictures,
and Katie happily joined in,
and I hope she heard God talking
that she was always welcome within.

So Katie entered the Church,
And Katie sat in the Pew,
I just hope she walked away
feeling that she just grew.

So the next challenge awaits,
I wonder what will be next,
will she go off to college
or have her own glass objects?

Katie keep growing,
and expanding your wings,
one day you'll fly
and have all that life brings.

26 Years of Letters!

26 Years of Letters

I am spending some time
in my basement these days,
hauling up old boxes
that always seem in the way.

They are things from my past,
the clutter I have saved,
things I couldn't throw away,
whether or not I had behaved.

I found old bottles and jars
that I kept for pocket change;
I even found old beer signs
which to me, now, is strange.

I then came upon several boxes,
which showed the stress of pastime,
and in them were hundreds of letters,
former lovers, friends; lost in time.

I found loving cards and letters,
from relatives who have "passed,"
with their handwritten thoughts and words
that very quickly brought me to the past.

26 years of letters,
all preserved; envelopes and all,
as I sat in my living room reliving
life with these people; well, at the best I could recall.

"You're a special Grandson," writes Papa,
A post card of love from Grammy Green,
"Ron you are special" from Celeste,
and so many more in-between.

I found small Valentine Cards
addressed to Uncle Ron,
from my nieces; Jessica and Val,
I thought these were really long gone.

I had letters of wisdom and love,
from the people that shaped my life,
and some were kind of naughty,
which made me smile rather bright.

I was brought back in time,
to when life was really new,
when I was making my way,
and I thought I knew what to do.

The Letters made me happy,
and some made me sad,
I am caught in an emotional time warp
with all my old comrades.

"2 Weeks until we're roommates again,"
was written on the envelope,
and inside Eric said to me,
"You've designed our room, I hope!"

Patti sent me lots of cards,
with funny stories of her life,
Scott sent me details of parties
where he searched for his future wife.

There was one box full of Pat letters,
man, we dated an awfully long time,
and our ups and downs are documented
for a long, long, time.

Pat certainly loved me,
"Forever and ever," she would write,
and when I asked about her boss Paul,
she would say my thinking wasn't right.

That made me laugh out loud,
for in the future she did marry Paul.
I ran into her last year at Wal*Mart
"I still have all your letters," She recalls.

I then open some notes from Andy,
my pastime really good friend,
we shared so much of our lives,
our studies, our dreams, and girlfriends.

He went into the service,
as we continued to weekly write,
he said I helped him through
some really tough days and nights.

He was homesick and lonely,
and we would write all the time,
"We are Brothers Forever"
for now and all time.

Andy and I haven't talked,
or written for several years,
and the letters brought me back,
to another time and some tears.

Even Pat's letters moved me,
wondering if I missed out on true love,
but then I read the letters from Paul,
and I realize it's really a blessing from above.

I found my high school graduation booklet,
listing all my classmate's names,
and I wonder where they all are,
and if they have letters they've reclaimed.

I had dozens of cards from Sue,
and their nasty written words,
they made me laugh once again,
with all the famous 80's catchwords.

The notes of flirtation
from Bonnie were crude,
but at my age back then,
I bet it got me in the mood!

And Jeff jotted down the places
where he came and he went,
the people he did meet
and the women he'd invent.

Dave kept me informed
of how marriage changed his life,
how having a young baby
forever altered him and his wife.

I found the glass souvenir
from my senior year Prom,
with all the details written
when I thought I was "the bomb!"

I came across sympathy cards
from many of my friends,
who gave me their condolences
for the lives I had to see end.

As I went through these cards,
my son came by to visit,
and my daughter joined in
as I showed them special snippets.

I forgot I had these letters,
and why should I care now,
but as I throw them away,
I feel really sad somehow.

I can keep them in the basement,
for another 26 years,
and if I die in the interim,
nothing will be as it appears.

My children or family will find them,
and say, "Why did he want to save these?"
and into the trash they will go
without a care or a moments worry.

So I am throwing away the letters,
and letting my past go away as well,
and for Pat, Patti, Eric, Andy and others,
I bid these memories farewell.

Children - The "Whole" of Children

Children – The "WHOLE" of Children

"Children are a gift from God; they are his reward." Psalm 127:3 tlb


There is nothing so amazing,
as the birth of a child,
a true gift from God,
that should keep you with smiles.

If you're a mother you know
how precious your child is to you,
bone of your bone, flesh or your flesh,
within you this miracle grew.

If you're a father you know,
how precious your child is to you,
You would not hesitate to protect him,
because it's your job, it's what you do.

As your child grows,
there is so much to do,
books to read, songs to sing,
teeth to brush, ties on shoes.

Please remember when raising a child,
to look at "The Whole Child,"
instead of just one piece of their insides,
for one hundred percent of them need to be styled.

The best gift you can give,
which will last them all their days,
is to find that you love them wholly,
and that you will always be there to praise.

We all have issues, or "baggage" as they say,
but we never want our parents to look the other way.
So grab your child and hold him tight,
look into his eyes and tell him all will be alright.

Children will develop,
and grow from deep inside,
if their parents believes in their abilities,
and be their life-long friend and guide.

No one will be perfect,
your child might even fail,
but who really cares,
as long as you're at the end of the trail.

Looking at the Whole Child
is something that's hard to do,
for success at one thing
is reliant on another, too.

As we leave our childhood,
it's so easy to complain of our past,
what should have been done,
how our fate was cast.

So when you have your child,
remember to make their lives great,
by looking at their individual goals,
never comparing to your childhood or hate.

Remember that you cast the fate,
what you do makes the difference,
on whether your child will be "whole,"
or whether he will be living perseverance.

We all do our best,
in bringing our kids up,
but know God is there
when we hiccup.

I know a few great friends,
who look at the "whole" of a child,
and from them I have learned
how to redefine and how to be mild.

Bringing up a "whole" child
is more than experiencing life,
it's about talking, sharing, mentoring,
and education, and understanding strife.

Are you a "whole" child?
Have you asked yourself that?
well it is never too late,
no matter where you're at.

HOPE

HOPE

A Four Letter Word
that's used quite a lot,
that can mean something bad,
or something good in your thoughts.

"I hope that you die,"
or "I hope that you win,"
give very different feelings
for your rushing adrenalin.

Hope can be a song,
Hope can be a bird,
Hope can be a person,
Hope can be a word.

Hope can inspire a nation,
Hope can change your life,
Hope can be a dream,
Hope can be your wife.

Hope can take a person,
for whom life seemed to pass,
and put him in greener pastures
where he can tend to his own grass.

Hope can be a symbol,
to show and light the way,
Hope can be a medal,
to show you've had your day.

Hope can be a smile,
that all is not quite lost,
Hope can mean reversal
when you are feeling crossed.

Hope can be a baby,
that lasts a lifetime span,
Hope can be a hug,
that is felt in Afghanistan.

Hope can be almost anything
depending on your needs,
so take a moment in your day
to give hope and spread your seeds.

You see my friends,
the readers of my blog,
we all have too much of something
that we hoard or that we hog.

Be a giver of Hope,
to someone in need,
and pass off your extras,
do a good deed.

When you have too much of something,
and share it with someone with less,
you realize you have power
to help someone be a success.

We have all been given Hope,
at some point in our lives,
and it is our duty now
to pass it on to those deprived.

Give hope by way of money,
give hope by way of your time,
give hope by way of conversations,
give hope by blogging in rhyme.

So I challenge my readers,
each and every one of you,
to pass on some hope,
then comment here with your review.

Do not read this blog and ignore me,
saying you'll have no part of this,
I have offered you a challenge,
and I do not want to be dismissed.

Go out with "Intentional Behavior"
to give Hope to another human being,
and you will change a life instantly
with all the smiles you will be seeing.

Think up something wonderful,
or something you've always wanted to do,
go out in your community
and be part of the "Hope Crew."

Once you are done,
and you feel good inside,
come to this blog and click on "Reply"
Tell us your story,
tell us about your hope,
share with us the reaction
share with us the Real Hope.

Bloggers are special
Bloggers can share,
so start spreading Hope
to anyone...anywhere.

SEEDS

SEEDS

Did you ever wonder about seeds?
the magical pebble of life,
the small form of great things to come,
that battle all different kinds of strife.

Don't you think we're all seeds?
Wizards in the hopeful state,
the form of better things to come,
who live to improve and make things great.

Aren't all seeds different?
some are large and rather flat,
while others remain small and round,
much like people, in their own habitat.

Yes, I think Seeds are like people.
who begin with great hope,
to battle what plagues them,
and learn how to cope.

A seed, much like people,
are put in a special space,
where dirt and manure
become your growing place.

So despite the bad view,
the darkness, the pain,
you begin to live life
and try not to complain.

There are many a time,
when you feel so confined,
that you want to yell out,
"This is so asinine!"

But you keep yourself in check,
and you keep yourself in line,
for you know the day is coming
when it's your time to shine.

So you battle your environment,
despite the darkness & the tears,
for you know your roots will grow
if your healthy & face your fears.

As you grow in shape,
and a seed no longer,
you experience a feeling
that seems so much stronger.

You own soul reaches the surface,
and stretches toward the light,
wanting to feel the true warmth
and bask in its delight.

Your life feels such greatness,
as you bloom with great pride,
and you show off your colors,
your grace, which you no longer hide.

You feel such elation,
and pure joy, with no despair,
for the trip through the dirt
was nothing short of a nightmare.

It is then that you look back,
and see what was there,
the dirt, the manure,
and the lack of good air.

And yet from that dark place,
the wet ground and bad space,
you developed your goals
and took on God's Grace.

And as one of his seedlings,
you dealt with life's sins,
and grew up despite it
to the devil's chagrin.

So now that your blooming,
and looking all around,
remember life's what you make it,
even if you start out in the ground.

You're a seed for once,
and a bulb forever more,
just gaining more strength
from life's sorted manure.

So you have the power
to draw from the soil,
the goodness you need
without having turmoil.

Pick good friends,
surround yourself with fun,
and don't let negativity
block out your sun.

If you make good choices,
you'll continue to bloom,
and others around you
will give you some room.

We all have the fears
that life tends to bring,
but you're no longer a seed,
your the Queen or the King.

So make a special rule
that you grant just to you,
that you'll make your life fuller
and really enjoy the view.

You worked hard as a seed
to grow up and grow right,
so be happy and healthy
and do as you might.

As for your own flower bed,
make the wisest of choices,
and pick the right flowers
that give you your voices!

If you end up with weeds,
You will choke up in time,
and find that your independence
has fargone its prime.

So remember your past,
and the lessons you learned,
and your future will be bright
with each bloom and each turn.

So this blog is about over,
I think I must end,
and hope that you know,
you are all my good friends.

I am glad we are seeds,
which I think you'll agree,
and we give each other water,
which is the most important key.

So when we are down,
droopy and unalive,
it is our friends who water us
and help us to survive.

So go my fellow seedlings,
and spread your roots with great pride,
but remember that your impact
can reach a level that's world wide.

So I end this blog
as I once began,
do you ever wonder about seeds
and where it all began?

Boxers or Briefs???

BOXERS OR BRIEFS?

If you clicked on this Blog
because of its name,
get your mind out of the gutter,
cause I'm talkin' 'bout the game!

Now that your with me,
and your mind is all clear,
I can get down to business
and get into gear!

Boxers or Briefs?
was a cute kinda game,
where you picked something funny,
and your true claim to fame.

My card for Alexandra,
which I think is quite true,
is that she "doesn't make coffee,"
but that wasn't her view!

"Being brought up by wolves,"
how could Bryan resist???
he never even picked that line,
and it was the absolute funniest!

Katie never "separates laundry,"
this we all hear and know,
so she had to pick my card,
or her nose would surely grow!

I still think Shelby's "a goddess,"
to which Tracy quickly agreed,
we gotta give it up for Shelby,
who smelled the orange flower's seeds.

And my dear friend Tracy,
what line was true to her,
probably that she is "forgiving,"
and with that I do concur!

And what about me?
What card did I pick?
"Irritable Bowel Syndrome," perhaps,
but it made me rather sick.

Do I have "movie star looks?"
or "a load in my pants?"
I chose neither of these,
I was quite adamant.

"I am fun to be around"
is what I chose as a truth,
for you have to be fun
to be around all these youths!

We laughed and we laughed,
ok, I laughed out the most,
but I couldn't really help it
with the lines and the posts!

Round One went to Alex,
Tracy topped it Round Two,
but we all were the winners...
knowing the funny and the true.

This game can be funny,
a good time will be had,
to match up the truths
and the funnies....EGADS!

To the crew that I had,
Katie, Shelby & Bryan,
you couldn't beat the girls,
Alex and Tracy were fryin'!