Parents age quickly
Our love must grow over time
Each day is a gift.
FTC
Mothers age quickly
Their love has grown over time
Each is their gift.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Where is My Father?
"Salute to Big Red"
Where is my father?
He is not here.
He has left this world
and us, we fear.
He walks and talks
and asks us where
he lives and why
he is not there.
He tries to leave
his own house and wife
To find his mother
who left this life.
He says we are not his
we beg him stay
he hides his meds
and sneaks away.
We follow him
as he wanders
down the road
to places yonder
He stops and stares
as through town he roams
But this is not his town
so we bring him home.
"Who is that woman?"
He asks in tears.
"It is your wife
of 50 years"
"That is not her,
mine was younger.
I must go find her
not stay here longer."
We calm him down
and take him to his bed
and watch in darkness
until he rests his head.
His wife crawls in
and holds him fast
He weeps and hugs her
and sleeps at last.
Tomorrow is
another day
like the last one
We fear and pray.
We ask God's help
but know not what to ask
to make him better
or make this his last...
Day on earth
So he can rest
and meet his maker
and feel his best
Where are my fathers?
Both in heaven above.
Some day I'll join them
Reunited in love.
written by the son-in-law of a man
called "Big Red' whom he calls father.
April 27, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Soon to be a "Gramps"
My grandchildren are growing inside my children
right now. As we move closer to actually seeing them
and holding them, the less and less I care about what
they are or who they are. I want them to be beautiful
but I can not control that. I want them to be smart
but I can not control that either.
However, I want them to be loved and I CAN be part
of that and I will, no matter what.
They may call me Gramps or they may call me Big Tom
but I don't care what they call me, as long as they CALL
me - all the time.
Tom "Gramps" Crowley
still waiting for something
right now. As we move closer to actually seeing them
and holding them, the less and less I care about what
they are or who they are. I want them to be beautiful
but I can not control that. I want them to be smart
but I can not control that either.
However, I want them to be loved and I CAN be part
of that and I will, no matter what.
They may call me Gramps or they may call me Big Tom
but I don't care what they call me, as long as they CALL
me - all the time.
Tom "Gramps" Crowley
still waiting for something
Native Wall
There is a wall by the sea in Nassau
A native wall where you can sit
And watch other peoples boats go by
As you eat your breakfast of bread and tea.
You may swim in the harbor at dawn
And wash in salt water and sit on the wall
Until the beach opens for tourists
Who do not want to see you washing.
They come for a tan and a Kalik
And to listen to music they do not understand
And are amused and a little rude
And then they are gone.
The men who wash and sit on the wall
Are workers at the big hotels ands stores.
They put on their uniforms and go to work
Salty and tired and a little sad.
The see you and say “Good Morning!”
And mean it when they say have a nice day.
They call you “Sir” or “Ma’am”
And say “Good Night!” not Good Evening.
They go home to their small houses
And smile when they see their small children
Fresh from school in their smart uniforms
And love them and are happy to be home.
The next day, they may go to the wall
Or wash in the sea, scrubbing off
A little of themselves every day
So that others will enjoy Nassau.
The native wall watches this never-ending play
Without judgment, blame, or guilt
And provides a sheltered place to sit
Where you may think about the day to come
And all the days that have passed by.
Tom Crowley
January 7, 2010
From the Towne Hotel, Nassau
A native wall where you can sit
And watch other peoples boats go by
As you eat your breakfast of bread and tea.
You may swim in the harbor at dawn
And wash in salt water and sit on the wall
Until the beach opens for tourists
Who do not want to see you washing.
They come for a tan and a Kalik
And to listen to music they do not understand
And are amused and a little rude
And then they are gone.
The men who wash and sit on the wall
Are workers at the big hotels ands stores.
They put on their uniforms and go to work
Salty and tired and a little sad.
The see you and say “Good Morning!”
And mean it when they say have a nice day.
They call you “Sir” or “Ma’am”
And say “Good Night!” not Good Evening.
They go home to their small houses
And smile when they see their small children
Fresh from school in their smart uniforms
And love them and are happy to be home.
The next day, they may go to the wall
Or wash in the sea, scrubbing off
A little of themselves every day
So that others will enjoy Nassau.
The native wall watches this never-ending play
Without judgment, blame, or guilt
And provides a sheltered place to sit
Where you may think about the day to come
And all the days that have passed by.
Tom Crowley
January 7, 2010
From the Towne Hotel, Nassau
Living The Dream
Living The Dream
Is it better to dream
Or to achieve?
I have done both
And I still do not believe
That our lives can be forced
To fit in a world
Where achievement is celebrated
And dreams lie like flags unfurled.
We raise our children
To dream what they wish
Yet the schools crush the dreams
And turn genius to fish.
We make them miss concerts
Where dreamers dream out loud
While our dreamers do homework
To make mom and dad proud.
Years later we reap
What we shouldn’t have sowed
And lament dreaming visions
Where we were afraid to go.
I sit with my headphones
Over sixty years old
Listening to dreamers
As I sit out in the cold.
It is easy to say
That I have no regrets
But the truth is I am scared
As I try to forget
The dreams that I had
While still a young man
And live out my life
As best that I can.
I still have dreams
And I will ‘til I die
Oh. What the hell?
Lets give it a try!
It’s never too late
Unless you have died
So go chase a dream
And enjoy the ride
F.Thomas
Lessons To Learn
Lessons to Learn
Learn how to listen
Learn how to care
Learn how to read
Learn how to be fair.
Learn how to love
Learn how to wait
Learn how to save
Learn not to hate.
Learn how to be big
Learn how to be small
Learn how to get up
Learn how to fall.
Learn all about God
Learn other things too
Learn how to feel
Learn how to be true.
Learn the meaning of faith
Learn the meaning of prayer
Learn these lessons well
Learn how to “be there”
When you children need lessons
Show them what you’ve learned
So that they will become teachers
Of the lessons you shared.
We learn by example
Not from lectures or threats
Be a good example
Avoid lifelong regrets.
FTC
Still learning at 61 plus
February 5, 2010
Sailing from Eleuthera to Rose Island
Bahamas
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)