CHRISTMAS 2008
What a year went whizzing by, in two-thousand-eight,
we’ve had our ups & downs but I’ll give it to you straight.
So one more time, with feeling, with the aid of poetry,
Our story will be simply told . . . simply? Well, we’ll see!
In way of preparation, you may wish to lift your feet;
grab yourself a beverage, and perhaps a snack to eat!
I’m not saying this is long, but it could take a while;
I’m counting on a happy thought or two, to bring a smile!
I’ve had a revelation, as I purge my brain of “Spam” . . .
It’s the reason I feel older, and the reason is, “I am.”
Not that I’m unique in that; in time we all go gray!
Oops, I forgot already: I have happy things to say.
The news will be sporadic, and a little hit-n-miss;
some news resembles “deja vu” but that’s just how it is!
One important thing to say, I’ll say it at the start;
please note; every word here, is spoken from the heart!
In her chair, Barb’s mom, Gladys, often sits and reads.
‘Books’, we’ve hinted Santa; there’s little more she needs!
With peeling apples, sorting socks & other certain tasks,
she “gladly” gives assistance, whenever Barbie asks!
Mostly in good health, as she turned Eighty-Eight this fall,
She puts up with our crazy house; the dog the bird & all,
When birdie flaps, fine feathers float, frequently her way;
the dog, a tripping hazzard, laying at her feet all day!
Recently, while on an outing, in the Handi-van,
the driver seated Gladys, then the trip back home began.
Perhaps he was distracted, as he pulled away just then
but it soon became apparent, Gladys wasn’t buckled in!
Soon thereafter, as the driver gave the brakes a squeeze,
Gladys slipped from the seat and landed on her knees!
She had braced herself somewhat; she’s thankfully okay!
What of rider safety?: Barb called right away!
Backing up to summer time, a time of celebration:
new dress & shoes, and hair done, all for this occasion!
The day, I will remember it; the day she smiled & smiled!
Honoured guest at the wedding of James, her grandchild.
I guess I ought to fill you in on news of that event;
many know already, since many of you went!
I mentioned it was planned, in a rhyming way last year,
and now I have the details; a few I’ll mention here.
The wedding was a treat for all, despite a hint of rain,
a tiny sprinkle, yes, but then the sun came out again.
Shining brighter than that sun their love, thus displaying;
some showing of emotions, and that goes with out saying!
July the twelfth, 2008, the wedding vows were said:
we haven’t lost a son, but a daughter gained instead!
A happy life for both, is what everybody wants,
for our son James & his new wife – Jocelyne Lesperance.
Her parents, Maurice & Germaine, hosted the reception,
the gardens were magnificent; the best without exception!
I think, as parents too, they knew James was “the one”,
again, no daughter lost, for in fact they’ve gained a son!
For the honeymoon, an Alaskan cruise they took;
they’ve uploaded photos; (I think they’re on Facebook.)
They’ve settled into home life, with great determination,
and both are back to teaching, but what a great vacation!
Katherine, this time last year, was teaching on Supply,
School Board jobs were few, so away she chose to fly!
She signed up as a teacher, in Anyang, South Korea!
We drove to her plane, then she calmly said “I’ll see ya!”
I think it’s 14 time zones, so in the past 9 months,
Since March, we her parents, have only seen her once.
She came for the wedding of her one and only brother!
She seems to like exploring; one culture, then another!
We phone her now and then, and email back and forth;
some snow, she reports, . . .but they get more up north.
Kat will not be coming home at Christmas time this year,
and as to when we’ll see her next, all of that’s unclear!
One thing I will mention – she really likes her job!
She misses her hot chocolate & fresh corn on the cob!
Food there is quite different, and the cost is very high,
and eating out is cheaper, but one has to wonder why?
Her students are still young; 6 or 7, so we hear,
Kat will teach them customs, unlike what we have here,
like how to bow correctly, it’s how children show respect!
She must learn them first, of course, just as you’d expect!
One other thing she does; at an orphanage near by,
she volunteers her time, and she listens as they cry!
Often just to hold them; seems that is all they need!
Our Kat has a big heart; both Barb & I’ve agreed!
Next in line is Angela; here’s what I have to tell,
her teachers really like her & we think she’s doing well!
Still at Humber, where she’s in the middle of year three,
in “Contemporary Music – a Bachelor’s degree.”
I’ll ask her “how’s it goin’ there, in Etobicoke?”
Sometimes getting details I don’t really need to know!
That’s Angie being Angie; she “tells it like it is.”
(But not private stuff; that’s none of my business!)
Still her dream is music; a dream she could make real;
for she’s got what it takes, not to mention sex appeal!
Angie formed a band, they play the songs she writes!
Often gigs are downtown; meaning, some late nights!
They had to have a name, so Angie thought it through;
“the Rucksack Willies”, wasn’t bad; it would have to do!
Check them out on U-Tube, if you get the chance to;
“Country music” sort of, but music you can dance to!
She was in a cabaret; a one -of-a-kind show,
Organized by students from all around T.O.,
to “Too Darn Hot” we went; the entire cast was hot,
that’s no exaggeration – We liked the show a lot!
A change of part-time jobs, they were just too far away.
She’s working in a studio; music’s their “forte”;
the hours are not great, and neither is the pay,
But it’s in her field, so that makes it Okay!
On to Clara, and her news; hope I get it right,
Final year at Laurier, the end of school’s in sight.
From the signs we see, she’s bound to succeed;
she’s truly going places, in music, yes indeed!
At her university, a teacher that she has, . . .
(I could have this wrong, but I think he teaches Jazz),
anyway, he said to her, “I’ve got a job for you . . .
They need a church musician; I quickly thought of you!”
Clara had an interview, maybe more than one;
A “Musical Director”, yes, it could be fun!
As a bonus she’d be paid, doing what she loves to do!
The job would be a step in the right direction, too!
Of course, she was hired & now teaches them to sing,
Every Sunday morning; well, so much for travelling!
Yet, in this real world, we do what we must do!
With positive perspectives & perhaps a prayer or two!
Since 2001, when Barb’s dad passed away,
we’ve maintained his small, white car; it still runs okay!
Each year one child gets access & now it’s Clara’s turn;
but the car’s a ‘94, and that’s cause for concern!
For the wedding, in the summer, we all got together,
We chose to rent a cottage, with all the rainy weather!
On the edge of Georgian Bay, with sunsets at their best!
Yes! This would be fine, for a week of well-earned rest.
Another thing about that wedding, north of Penetang:
Barb was asked to play her flute, and everybody sang!
Plus, a love song, Clara wrote for walking down the aisle;
The girls strode up in harmony; all we could do was smile!
So how will I now summarize, the way that our year went?
Well, Barb and I are doing fine, we’re happy & content!
What gets me, is the money wasted in the last election;
But, I shall remain positive, in this last reflection!
In general, Barb’s student load, is still about the same;
the schedule confuses me, but Barb know each by name!
Several top students, are preparing to be tested!
They get extra time, when Barb, really, should’ve rested!
The symphony has kept her busy; now she’s on a break;
a little R&R, is what Barbie needs to take!
Myself, still with the “Singers”, two concerts yet to go!
Barb is my encourager; it’s tricky music, though!
At the school where I work, there’s little that is new!
Other than a few new faces, it’s the same old crew!
I help the choir sometimes, and at Christmas it gets tricky,
At times, called away, to go clean up something sticky!
Since Barb’s surgery, we’ve taken in a dance or two,
I said “I think the cutest girl, at the dance was you”;
I added, to be clever, “but, I didn’t check each one”. . .
We say things we regret some days; even just in fun!
Now as I wrap this up, so we can send it out,
Barb and I have happy news, worthy of a shout;
Recently announced to us, a baby’s on the way!
Due to make an entrance, next year late in May!
James and Jo-Jo have decided on a family,
First grandchild on the way, for Barbara and me!
Blessings at this time of year, to everyone of you!
Have a merry Christmas; and happy New Years too!
rwhilts 