This is a poem from me to me. I know that no one will disagree
I am 76 today and most happy to be here
With my family whom I consider so very dear
I have come a long way as I well know
From a shoeshine boy to a CEO
I have done many things over the years
Some happy, some regrets, and some with tears
The happy times I remember with glee
Like taking my family to Disney you see
The sad times you soon forget
You get over them with little regret
Nana and I have had a great life
We have traveled, have good friends, and little strife
She has been my friend, partner and a good soulmate
And I will love her always, until we part by fate
We are so proud of the family one and all,
You have given us pride that makes us stand tall
We have made some mistakes as all couple do
But it’s part of life, with regrets you can’t undo
I have so many blessings I can’t count them all
But I put my family first, without a stall
You make me proud to be a grandfather and Dad
You are the best family a man ever had
So to all of you I say today
Let’s give thanks to another day
To the Lord above, who is so great
Let’s sit, eat, and celebrate.
Happy Birthday to Me!!
-Hughie
MY 76th BIRTHDAY OCT. 2013
IT’S MY BIRTHDAY YOU KNOW AND OH WHAT A THRILL
TO BE WITH MY BEST FRIENDS HERE IN PERKINSVILLE
THE FOOD WILL BE GREAT AND FELLOWSHIP TOO
I WOULDN’T BE ANYWHERE ELSE WITHOUT ALL OF YOU
IT HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT YEAR AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A WHOLE LOT WORSE IF YOU DIDN’T SHOW
YOUR CARDS, YOUR LETTERS, PRAYERS AND LOVE
HAVE BROUGHT US ALL TOGETHER LIKE A TIGHT FITTING GLOVE
MY FAMILY IS GREAT AND I LOVE THEM SO
BUT THERE IS NOTHING LIKE FRIENDS AS YOU ALL KNOW
WE GROW OLDER TOGETHER AND APPRECIATE LIFE
WITHOUT A LOT OF CONCERNS AND A LOT OF STRIFE
MY CHEMO IS DONE AND I DON’T KNOW WHAT’S NEXT
THE STORY IS UNWRITTEN AND SO IS THE TEXT
I WILL GO WHERE GOD LEADS ME AND NEVER STRAY
MY LIFE HAS BEEN QUALITY INCLUDING THIS DAY
I THANK YOU MY FRIENDS FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT
WITHOUT ALL OF YOU, LIFE WOULD BE DARK, NOT BRIGHT
I LOVE YOU ALL AND WANT YOU TO KNOW
YOU HAVE BLOSSOMED MY LIFE, WOW!!!, WHAT A SHOW
THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING MY FRIENDS
-Hughie
A THOUGHT TO MY LOVE:
FIFTY YEARS IS A LONG, LONG TIME
WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY AND ALL IS FINE
WE HAVE SO MANY BLESSINGS TO BE THANKFUL FOR
AS WE HAVE SEEN OUR FAMILY GROW AND SOAR
ADDITIONAL BLESSINGS ARE OUR MANY FRIENDS
THEY ARE ALL SO DIFFERENT WITH MANY TRENDS
THEY ARE OUR FRIENDS BECAUSE OF YOU
YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SO VERY TRUE
LIFE CAN BE A STRUGGLE AS WE ALL KNOW
AND YET WITH THE EFFORT WE DO SHOW
THE BLESSINGS ABOUND IN MANY WAYS
THROUGH OUT THE MINUTES, HOURS AND DAYS
THE YEARS HAVE FLOWN BY, AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO
AND MY LIFE WOULD BE EMPTY AND SAD WITHOUT YOU
WE BICKER AT TIMES ABOUT SILLY THINGS
BUT JOY TO EACH OTHER IS WHAT LIFE BRINGS
ON THIS 50TH ANNIVERSARY I WISH I WAS ABLE
TO GIVE YOU DIAMONDS, PEARLS AND EVEN A SABLE
THE ECONOMY HAS CHANGED, THAT’S NOT A LIE
I OFFER YOU MY HEART AND LOVE UNTIL I DIE.
FIFTY YEARS MY DEAR, WHERE HAS IT GONE?
WE HAVE EXPERIENCED IT ALL AND SET THE TONE
WITHOUT EACH OTHER, WHAT WOULD WE DO?
YOU ARE MY SOULMATE, I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY,
HUGH
A VALENTINE FOR SHARON
IT’S VALENTINES DAY TWENTY THIRTEEN
AFTER 54 YEARS I’M STILL MARRIED TO A QUEEN
SHE TOLERATES ME WHATEVER I DO
I DO ENOUGH TO MAKE HER STEW
THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING ME BETTER
I DON’T ALWAYS DO THING TO THE LETTER
WE HAVE BEEN TOGETHER A WHILE AND COME A LONG WAY
I WOULD NOT TRADE A MINUTE NOT EVEN A DAY
OUR FAMILY IS STRONG AND OUR GRANDKIDS GREAT
THE BLESSINGS WE HAVE ARE PART OF OUR FATE
A TIME OF CHANGE, WE OFTEN REFER
WE ACCEPT THE CHANGE AND NOT DETER
ROSES ARE RED AND VIOLETS ARE BLUE
OUR LOVE FOR EACH OTHER HAS NEVER BEEN MORE TRUE
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY FROM A HUSBAND WITH CARE
I KNOW OUR LOVE WE WILL ALWAYS SHARE
LOVE YOU,
HUGHIE
A BIRTHDAY WISH FOR SHARON
IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY GIRL AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW
I LOVE YOU MORE EACH DAY, WHEREVER WE GO
FROM INDY TO ARIZONA AND SYRACUSE TOO
YOU MAKE ME PROUD THAT I’M WITH YOU
WE ARE BLESSED WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS AS WELL
WHATEVER WE DO, WE ARE TREATED JUST SWELL
SO ON THIS DAY AS WE SPEND IT WITH FRIENDS
MY LOVE LIKE GOOD TIMES WILL NEVER END
THE YEAR’S FLY BY AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO
MY LIFE WOULD BE EMPTY AND SAD WITHOUT YOU
ON THIS SPECIAL DAY WHICH IS ALL ABOUT YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!
LOVE,
HUGHIE
THIS IS FOR SHARON
THIS IS FOR SHARON, THE LOVE OF MY LIFE
SHE HAS BEEN LIKE A ROCK DURING MY STRIFE
SHE DOESN’T COMPLAIN, SHE KNOWS WHERE I STAND
SHE IS ALWAYS WITH ME HAND IN HAND
MOST OF YOU KNOW SHE IS DOING ALL OF THE WORK
THAT I USED TO DO AND COMPLAIN LIKE A JERK
SHE DRIVES ME AROUND AND HEARS ME SAY
YOU ARE DRIVING TOO CLOSE, PLEASE BACK AWAY
SO ON THIS NIGHT WHEN WE ARE ALL TOGETHER
I WANT HER TO KNOW MY LIFE IS MUCH BETTER
WHEN SHE APPEARS WITH A LOVING SMILE
AND JUMP STARTS MY HEART ALL THE WHILE.
I LOVE YOU HONEY!!!!!
To Michael & Lori
I am at the lake and thinking of you
The water is smooth and the sky is blue
Tomorrow is the day you celebrate
Twenty five years, oh my, that’s great
When you look back and contemplate
You would not change much to insure your fate
Your life together has been with bliss
And it all started with a hug and a kiss
The Blessings you have are too many to count
Your children, your friends and Priority your mount
They all love you in one way or another
And wish you the best as a Dad and a Mother
Greeting cards are fine but you throw them away
A poem is forever day after day
Your Mother and I want both of you to know
We will always be there, we love you so
Happy Anniversary Michael and Lori
Love,
Dad
THIS IS A STORYABOUT A BEAR WITHOUT A HOME
HE IS SAD, HAS NO NAME AND HIS HEART IS TURNING TO STONE
SOME WHERE THIS CHRISTMAS, HE HOPES SOMEONE WILL CARE
HE IS WISHING FOR A FAMILY AND A NAME HE CAN SHARE
ONE LUCKY CHILD WILL BE GIVEN THIS BEAR
TO HOLD,TO NAME AND TO KEEP FOR A YEAR
NEXT CHRISTMAS HE WILL BE GIVEN AWAY
ALONG WITH A STORY ABOUT HIS STAY
ANOTHER LUCKY CHILD WILL HAVE HIM FOR A YEAR
HIS CURRENT OWNER CANNOT SHED A TEAR
THIS WILL BE A FAMILY BEAR
AND WILL STAY IN THE FAMILY YEAR AFTER YEAR
IF HE IS MISTREATED, HE MAY SHED A TEAR
HE PROMISES TO STAY THROUGH LOVE OR FEAR
HE IS A SIMPLE BEAR WITH ONLY ONE NAME
HE CAN BE CALLED FREDDY, JIMMY OR A NAME YOU ALL CLAIM
ONCE YOU AGREE, THAT’S HIS NAME FOREVER MORE
TO GET HIM YOU WILL DRAW STRAWS AND I WILL KEEP SCORE
THE SHORTER THE STRAW, THE BETTER IT WILL BE
THE SHORTEST ONE WINS FOR A YEAR OF GLEE
YOUR NANNY AND POPPAS GIVE THE TRAVELING BEAR
WITH LOVE FOR OUR GRANDCHILDREN, FOR ALL OF YOU TO SHARE
WE KNOW YOU WILL LOVE HIM AND PROVIDE FOR HIM FIRST
FEED HIM, HUG HIM AND DON’T LET HIM THIRST
TREAT HIM WELL AND MAYBE ONE DAY
HIS HEART WILL TURN TO A SOFT, GENTLE CLAY.
LOVE,
NANNY AND POPAS
DECEMBER 2005
PS BY A UNANIMOUS VOTE
AND OH SUCH FUN
HIS NEW NAME WII BE
BEAR CINAMON
YOU ARE 18 SARAH!
YOU ARE 18 SARAH, OH WHAT A JOY
WITH THIS MANY YEARS YOU COULD WRITE A STORY
YOU HAVE PARENTS WHO LOVE YOU AND SIBLINGS TOO
AND A HEART AS BIG AS THE SKY IS BLUE
I KNOW YOU’RE IN CAMP AND LOVING IT SO
AND NEXT YEAR TO COLLEGE YOU WILL GO
HOW FAR IT WILL BE, IT’S TOO EARLY TO SAY
WE WILL BE HAPPY, IF CLOSE YOU WILL STAY
TONIGHT IS A CELEBRATION, I AM AWARE OF THAT
WITH NANNY, YOUR MOM AND NOW FAST MATT
WE MET HIM LAST WEEK AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW
WE LIKE WE SAW AND KNOW HE’S NOT SLOW
SO, ENJOY THE EVENING IN YOUR SPECIAL WAY
I THANK THE GOOD LORD YOU WERE BORN THIS DAY
WHEREVER YOU GO AND WHAT EVER YOU DO
REMEMBER YOUR POPPIS WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!
A BIRTHDAY WISH FOR BUBBY
A BIRTHDAY WISH FOR BUBBY, A GUY WHO IS THE BEST
HE KNOWS HOW TO PLAY HARD AND KNOWS WHEN TO REST
HE MAY STRUGGLE A BIT WITH ALGEBRA, BUT LET ME TELL YOU WHAT
DON’T MESS WITH HIM MY FRIEND, HE WILL TIE YOU IN A KNOT
HE LOVES HIS SPORTS AND PLAYS VERY WELL
IF YOU MAKE HIM ANGRY, HE WILL RING YOUR BELL
HE IS A GOOD LOOKING GUY, WITH LONG DARK HAIR
HE LOVES SHOOTING SQUIRRELS AS OPPOSED TO A SNARE
HE LIKES YOUNG LADIES AND TREATS THEM WELL
THEY IN TURN LIKE HIM AND TREAT HIM SWELL
HE HAS MANY GOOD FRIENDS AS WE ALL SHOULD KNOW
THEY LOVE HIM A LOT AND CONSIDER HIM A BRO
THIS IS A BIG BIRTHDAY WISH FROM YOUR POPS AND NANNY
SHE ASKED ME TO WRITE IT AFTER SHE FELL ON HER FANNY
WHAT EVER YOU DO AND WHEREVER YOU GO
WE LOVE YOU, WE ARE PROUD OF YOU AND WE HAVE LOVED WATCHING YOU GROW
HAPPY 15TH BIRTHDAY TO A GREAT GRANDSON
LOVE,
POPS & THE GOAT
THIS IS A POEM ABOUT MY GRANDSON SAM
HE IS IN THE SUN A LOT BUT DOESN’T SEEM TO TAN
GOLF IS HIS GAME AND HE LOVES TO PLAY
HE WINS A LOT, OF COURSE, NOT EVERY DAY
NEXT TO GOLF FISHING IS HIS PLEASURE
HIS BOSTON WHALER IS HIS MAJOR TREASURE
GOLFING AND FISHING WHERE EVER IT BE
MAKES HIM HAPPY AS WE ALL CAN SEE
YOU ARE 18 MY FRIEND AND THAT IS NO JOKE
COME NOVEMBER YOU ARE ELGIBLE TO VOTE
BY YOUR AGE, YOU HAVE BECOME A MAN
IN MANY WAYS YOU’RE STILL JUST SAM
RUB MY BACK POPPY OR ONE EGG DROP
IT DOESN’T MATTER I’LL NEVER STOP
EGG DROPS ARE GREAT UNTIL I GET IN THE MIDDLE
WHEN I TOUCH YOUR SIDE, YOU ALMOST GIGGLE
A SENIOR THIS YEAR AND IT WILL BE YOUR LAST
A JOB YOU LIKE AT IRONWOOD, OH WHAT A BLAST
COLLEGE NEXT YEAR, WE KNOW NOT WHERE
AS LONG AS YOU GO, IT CAN BE ANYWHERE
ENJOY THIS YEAR, IT’S YOUR LAST ONE AT HOME
BE KIND TO YOUR FRIENDS AND YOU WILL NEVER BE ALONE
BE ACTIVE IN SCHOOL AND DON’T GET LAZY
REMEMBER, GOD IS GREAT, BEER IS GOOD AND PEOPLE ARE CRAZY
I LOVE YOU SAM AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW
WE ARE PROUD OF YOU WHEREVER YOU GO
THE LORD BE WITH YOU THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE
HE WILL GUIDE AND PROTECT YOU WITHOUT TROUBLE AND STRIFE
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
POPS
ODE TO REGAN
FOURTEEN YEARS, OH WHAT A THRILL
SOME MIGHT THINK YOU’RE OVER THE HILL
YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS, IT’S POEM TIME
AND ONLY YOUR POPPIS CAN MAKE THINGS RHYME
THE MANY MEMORIES WE SHARE ABOUT YOU
ARE TOO MANY TO MENTION AND THEY’RE ALL TRUE
STARTING AS A BABY, WITHOUT WORDS SPOKEN
WHEN NANNY HAD TO TELL YOU HER BA-BA WAS BROKEN
THINGS YOU DON’T LIKE SUCH AS ORANGES AND MEAT
AND YET BLUEBERY PIES ARE ALWAYS A TREAT
YOUR FAVORITE SEEMS TO BE PASTA AND NOODLES
YOU ALSO LOVE CATS AND BIG STANDARD POODLES.
YOU LOVE TO READ AND DO IT WITH PLEASURE
NEVER STOP LEARNING, IT IS SUCH A TREASURE
YOU HAVE WONDERFUL FRIENDS SUCH AS KATY & RUBY
THEY ARE EASY TO LIKE AND NEVER SNOOTY
TO LC YOU ARE GOING, A FRESHMAN YOU SEE
A SWEET SENSATION IS WHAT YOU WILL BE
WE WILL ALL BE THERE WATCHING YOU SWEET
AND KNOW WELL AHEAD WE ARE IN FOR A TREAT
YOU ARE A GREAT YOUNG LADY AND YOU SHOULD KNOW
HOW MUCH WE LOVE YOU AND WATCHED YOU GROW
KEEP ON A KEEPING ON WHAT EVER YOU DO
AND KNOW GOD’S BLESSING WILL BE WITH YOU.
LOVE,
NAN & POPS
SAM AND SARAH GRADUATION
SAM AND SARAH,
WELL HERE WE ARE, IT’S GRADUATION TIME
IN YOUR CAPS AND GOWNS, YOU LOOK JUST FINE
YOU HAVE COME A LONG WAY AND I BELIEVE
YOU HAVE MET THE GOALS YOU WANTED TO ACHIEVE
AS YOU GATHER TODAY WITH CLASSMATES AND FRIENDS
YOUR HIGH SCHOOL DAYS ARE ABOUT TO END
AS YOU GO FOREWARD KEEP YOUR AMBITION AND DREAMS
AND NEVER LOOK BACK, IT/S NOT WHAT IT SEEMS
COLLEGE WILL BE HARDER, BUT WHAT FUN IT WILL BE
YOU’LL MEET LOTS OF NEW FRIENDS, JUST WAIT AND SEE
YOU BOTH WILL ENJOY THE PEOPLE YOU MEET
AND THESE ARE FRIENDS YOU WILL WANT TO KEEP
YOU WILL BE MISSED BY FAMILIES AND GRANDPARENTS TOO
BUT WE KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING WILL BENEFIT YOU
HOLD YOU HEAD’S UP HIGH AND DO NOT DIGRESS
FOR WE KNOW WHAT YOU DO, YOU WILL DO THE BEST
SO ENJOY YOUR SUMMER, DO ALL YOU CAN DO
AND REMEMBER HOW MUCH WE ALL LOVE YOU
GO TO SCHOOL THIS FALL AND JOIN THE CROWD
AND ALL OF US HERE ARE EXTREMELY PROUD
OKAY SAM, IT’S OFF TO BAYLOR YOU GO
THESE BONDS ARE FOR YOU, NOT JUST FOR SHOW
USE THEM WELL, NOT TO SQUANDER OR GLOAT
WITH LOVE FROM US TWO, POPS AND GOAT
BEST WISHES TO TWO OF THE NICEST GRANDCHILDREN A GRANDPARENT COULD EVER HAVE.
GOD LOVES YOU BOTH AND SO DO WE
SARAH YOU’RE 16 TODAY
OKAY SARAH, IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY YOU KNOW
FOR 16 YEARS WE HAVE WATCHED YOU GROW
FROM A BABY GIRL WE LOVED SO MUCH
TO A CLASSY YOUNG LADY WITH SUCH A TOUCH
FROM A TRIKE TO A BIKE AND NOW A CAR
YOU HAVE COME A LONG WAY, OH WHAT A STAR
TO HORSES AND BOATS AND WAVE RUNNERS TOO
TO BOYS LIKE RILEY, COOPER TO NAME A FEW
BIRTHDAY’S ARE SPECIAL, ESPICIALLY SIXTEEN
YOU HAVE LEARNED TO BE KIND AND NEVER MEAN
YOU HAVE ALL THE BLESSINGS GOD COULD BESTOW
A SISTER, A BROTHER AND FRIENDS WHOM YOU KNOW
WE LOVE TO WATCH YOU SING AND DANCE
WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT OR GIVEN YOU A CHANCE
A SWEET SENSATION YOUR FIRST YEAR IN SCHOOL
TO A CENTRAL SOUND, IS THAT NOT COOL
YOUR NANA AND POPS ARE SO PROUD OF YOU
I KNOW AMA FEELS THAT WAY TOO
WE ARE ESPECIALLY PROUD OF YOUR GOOD GRADES
WE KNOW YOU STUDY BEHIND THOSE SHADES
A GOOD LOOKING BROTHER YOU HAVE AS YOU KNOW
YOU LOVED AND PROTECTED HIM WHEN HE NEEDED IT SO
HE WILL GO AWAY SOON AND DON’T YOU AGREE
HIS LOVING CARING SISTER YOU WILL ALWAYS BE
YOUR NANA IS CRAZY SHE IS LIKE A MOTHER DUCK
SIXTEEN GIFTS AND SIXTEEN BUCKS
THE GIFTS ARE ALL VARIED AND WRAPPED WITH A HEART
OPEN ONE AT A TIME AND NOW YOU CAN START
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH IT IS YOUR DAY
DO AS YOU PLEASE AND SAY WHAT YOU SAY
WE ALL LOVE YOU AND ARE PROUD TO BE
A PART OF YOUR LOVING FAMILY.
HERE’STO MICHAEL
HERE’S TO MICHAEL AND THIS IS THE TRUTH
THE FIRST THING WE SAW WAS A BROKEN TOOTH
HE DROVE A CAR WITH TIRES LIKE A BUS
AND HIS LONG BLACK HAIR SHOCKED EVEN US
WE FED HIM WELL AND STILL HE WOULD GO
TO EAT AT MCDONALDS TO FILL UP YOU KNOW
WHEN HE CAME FOR DINNER, HE SOMETIMES WOULD BABBLE
HE WAS PARTICULARLY FOND OF THE CHINESE APPLE
THEY ENDED UP MARRYING AND THE FUN BEGIN
UNTIL THEY MADE THEIR HOME IN SOUTH BEND
WHAT A GREAT PLACE TO VISIT AND SO WAS THE GRUB
WE ALL BECAME PATRON’S OF PAT;S PUB
RETURNING TO INDY TO MAKE THEIR HOME
HE WAS STILL YOUNG BUT HAD REALLY GROWN
HE STARTED WITH KENT, BUT LEFT NO TRAILS
HE BEGAN HIS CAREER WITH DOTSON SALES
WE SOLVED A LOT OF PROBLEMS, NONE TO SEVERE
OUR BUSINSS CONTINUED TO GROW YEAR AFTER YEAR
AN OFFICE IN INDY WAS SOMETHING WE DID
A LARGER OFFICE WAS IN THE BID
IT’S BEEN 22 YEARS OF BEING TOGETHER
DAY AFTER DAY, NO MATTER THE WEATHER
WE STRUGGLED SOME AND DID DISAGREE
I KNOW I LOVE YOU AND KNOW YOU LOVE ME
BASED ON OUR PAST AND TIME WELL SPENT
THIS POEM COULD GO ON LIKE AN AGING CEMENT
IT WOULD BE UNFAIR IF I DID NOT SAY
WHAT A LOVING, GOOD FATHER YOU ARE TODAY
YOUR FAMILY IS GREAT WHAT MORE CAN I SAY
THIS BIRTHDAY WISH IS COMING YOUR WAY
FROM NANA, POPPIS, AND ALL WHO ARE HERE
WE WISH YOU THE BEST FOR THE COMING YEAR.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY,
POPS
HERE IS TO RICHARD
HERE IS TO RICHARD, A GUY WE ALL KNOW
HE ALWAYS MOVES FAST AND NEVER SLOW
HE DOES A LOT AND HAS MANY WISHES
ONE OF HIS FAVORITES IS CATCHING FISHES
HE PRIDES HIMSELF ON TEARING THINGS APART
HE DOES IT WITH GUSTO AND IT COMES FROM THE HEART
HE LIFTS AND TUGS IN ANY TYPE OF WEATHER
AND SOMETIMES IS GOOD AT PUTTING THINGS TOGETHER
HE LOVES TO PLAY GOLF AND SEEMS TO ENJOY
COMPETING WITH SAM IS HIS MAJOR PLOY
HE HAS SPENT HOURS ON END WATCHING BASEBALL
WHEN THE SEASON IS OVER, OH WHAT A FALL
HE PREFERS RICH INSTEAD OF DICK
FROM A POET’S STANDPOINT DICK IS QUICK
HE LOVES HIS JOB AND STAFF AS WELL
EVEN ON VACATION HE WORKS BY THE BELL
A MAN’S BEST FRIEND IS HIS DOG YOU KNOW
GEORGE AND HIS BEST FRIEND LOVE TO ROMP IN THE SNOW
TOGETHER YOU WILL ALL BE IN YOUR NEW CA-BIN
YOUR WIFE, YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR BEST FRIEND
RICH LOVES HIS FAMILY, WIFE, DAUGHTER AND SONS
HE IS ALSO GREEDY WITH HIS POPOVER BUNS
WE LOVE YOU RICH AND WANT YOU TO KNOW
AS PART OF OUR FAMILY, WE HAVE WATCHED YOU GROW
YOUR LOVE FOR YOUR FAMILY
AND THE LORD AS WELL
MAKES US VERY PROUD
AND OUR HEARTS DO SWELL
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICH
NANA & POPS
THIS IS A STORY ABOUT A COUPLE WE KNOW
THIS IS A STORY ABOUT A COUPLE WE KNOW
WITH ACCOLADES ON THEM WE CAN BESTOW
IT STARTED AS TEENS WE CAN ATTEST
COMMENCING FIFTY PLUS YEARS AND STOOD THE TEST
THEY HAD 3 CHILDREN AND THEY WERE BLESSED
TWO BOYS AND A GIRL, SAVING THE LAST TO BEST
THIS STORY WILL TELL YOU ABOUT EACH AND ALL
HOW THE GREW AND LOVED AND ANSWERED THEIR CALL
WE WILL START WITH DON, THE OLDEST YOU SEE
HE HAD A HARD TIME DECIDING WHAT HE WANTED TO BE
A GOLF PRO HE THOUGHT AND TOLD HIS DAD MICK
THEN LATER IN LIFE, HE JOINED CROOKED STICK
HE LOVED FLYING PLANES BUT THAT WAS NOT TO BE
THE COST WAS PROHIBITIVE FOR AN AERONAUTICAL DEGREE
HE LATER SOLD LUMBER AND FOUND THAT TOO MESSY
BECAUSE HE WORKED FOR A GUY BY THE NAME OF ESPEY
ALONG CAME ANN, THE LIGHT OF HIS LIFE
IT ENDED THE TURMOIL, QUESTIONS AND STRIFE
TO THE CHURCH AND THE LORD THEY DID SCURRY
WITH THEIR LIFE AND FAMILY, WE KNOW WHY THE HURRY
THEN THERE WAS STEVE, A BIGHT YOUNG BOY
WHO THOUGHT LIFE IN GENERAL WAS ONE BIG TOY
HE SHOWED US ALL THAT HE HAD POWER
WHEN HE WAS DETAINED, FOR CLIMBING THE WATER TOWER
HE WAS A LOVEABLE BOY WHO LIKED A GOOD FLING
YOU NEVER KNEW WHAT NEXT, WE CALLED HIM DING DING
TO COLLEGE HE WENT FOR THE CRIMSON TIDE
A GREAT TIME HE HAD, HIS GRADES DID SLIDE
TODAY HE IS BLESSED WITH A FAMILY AND SUSIE
TOOK HIM A LONG TIME TO GET HER, SHE WAS CHOOSEY
THEY HAVE A WONDERFUL LIFE AND NEVER SEEM BORED
THROUGH THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS, THEY FOUND THE LORD
AND THEN CAME BETSY, A LITTLE GIRL TO ENJOY
WITH TWO FRISKY BROTHERS, SHE BECAME A TOMBOY
SHE WOULD WRESTLE, CLIMB AND VIGOROUSLY PLAY
WHEN BEDTIME CAME, SHE WAS THERE TO STAY
IT MATTERED NOT WHERE SHE WAS OR WITH WHO
THE FIRST ONE A SLEEP WAS, QUESS WHO?
SHE LOVED CAMPING, BOATING AND HER MOTOR HOME
WHEN SHE WAS AROUND, YOU NEVER FELT ALONE
ON A SKI TRIP UP NORTH WITH ALL MY CREW
WE WERE DINING AND DANCING AND HAVING A FEW
AS THE EVENING GREW LATE AND WE KNEW WE WERE THROUGH
SHE WHISPERED TO ME,”CAN I HAVE ONE MORE, UNCLE HUGH
THEN TRAGEDY STRUCK AND TOOK HER AWAY
OH, HOW WE MISSED HER AND STILL DO TODAY
BASED ON OUR LOVE, WE ALL FELT SAD
GOD NEEDED BETSY, AN ANGEL, LIKE HE NEVER HAD
OUR MEMORIES OF THE EREHART’S GO WAY BACK
THERE ARE SO MANY, TOO LARGE TO STACK
WHEN DON WAS SO LITTLE AND MILD
WE GAVE HIM A CRITTER FOR EASTER, HOW WILD
WE TRAVELED TO LAKE WEBSTER, A COTTAGE YOU SEE
OH HOW WE LOVED IT’S SIMPLICITY!!!
WE HAD NO BOATS OR OTHER TOYS
JUST THE WATER AND OUR OWN BLESSED JOYS
THEN CAME THE MOTOR HOME, HOW THEY LOVED IT SO
LOAD UP THE FAMILY AND AWAY THEY WOULD GO
WE WERE INVOLVED IN A TRIP OR TWO
NEVER DISSAPPOINTED IN BEING WITH YOU
THE LAKE HOME ON LEMON WAS FUN TO BE
MICK LOVED ALL THE WORK, AS YOU NOW CAN SEE
THEN AWAY THEY DID GO, WITH THEIR HEARTS FULL OF GLEE
TO A PLACE NONE OF US KNEW, IN MISSISSIPPI
MICK AND DONNA WERE DUCKS, TWO OF EIGHT
NO ONE ELSE KNEW THE DUCKS AND THEIR FATE
OUR GOAL WAS TO LAUGH, TRAVEL AND HAVE FUN
WITH KIDS AND JOBS, WE WERE ALWAYS ON THE RUN
FIFTY PLUS YEARS IS A LONG, LONG TIME
YOU HAVE COME A LONG WAY AND ALL IS FINE
YOU HAVE SO MANY BLESSINGS TO BE GRATEFUL FOR
AS YOU HAVE SEEN YOUR FAMILY GROW AND SOAR
ADDITIONAL BLESSINGS ARE YOUR MANY FRIENDS
THEY ARE ALL SO DIFFERENT WITH MANY TRENDS
THEY ARE YOUR FRIENDS, BECAUSE OF YOU
YOU BOTH, HAVE BEEN GOOD FRIENDS AND TRUE
LIFE CAN HAVE STRUGGLES AS WE ALL KNOW
AND YET WITH THE EFFORT IT WILL SHOW
YOUR BLESSINGS ABOUND IN MANY WAYS
THROUGH OUT THE MINUTES, HOURS AND DAYS
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO WONDERFUL AND LONG TIME FRIENDS
HUGH AND SHARON
THIS IS FOR SAMMY
THIS IS FOR SAMMY, YOU WERE THE FIRST
WE HONESTLY THOUGHT YOUR MOTHER WOULD BURST
YOU WERE 10 POUNDS OF POWER WHEN YOU CAME OUT
AND FOR JOY FOR YOUR MOTHER WE ALL DID SHOUT
YOU STARTED VERY YOUNG TO ENJOY YOUR SPORTS
WITH YOUR BRUDDER RIGHT BEHIND AND NEVER OUT OF SORTS
IT WAS BASEBALL AT FIRST FOLLOWED BY SOCCER
TENNIS YOU THOUGHT WAS KIND OF A FLOPPER
AS TIME FLEW BY AND YOUR FATHER TAUGHT YOU FISHING
IT’S SOMETHING YOU CAN DO MORE, IS WHAT YOU ARE WISHING
YOU HAVE CAUGHT MANY TYPES OF FISH ON THIS EARTH
SEVERAL WERE SMALL BUT MANY WITH GIRTH
AND THEN ONE DAY GOLF CAME ALONG
YOU DISCOVERED I THINK WHERE YOU BELONG
IT IS A SPORT THAT’S FUN AND YOU LIKE TO PLAY
COULD BRING A SCHOLORSHIP OR EVEN THE PGA
FROM THE TIME YOU WERE YOUNG, YOU THOUGHT GIRLS WERE SISSY
THEN CAME A YOUNG GIRL WHOSE NICK NAME IS CRISSY
WE HAVE NOT MET HER YET, BUT KNOW SHE IS FINE
FOR A YOUNG MAN LIKE YOU WHO IS SO KIND
WE HAVE MET YOUR FRIENDS AND KNOW THEY ARE COOL
WE HAVE SEEN THEM IN CHURCH AS WELL AS YOUR SCHOOL
WE KNOW YOU ARE GROWING, MAY GOD KEEP YOU SAFE
WE KNOW THAT HE WILL WITH YOUR KIND OF FAITH
NANA AND POPS WANT YOU TO KNOW,
WE ARE PROUD OF YOU WHEREVER YOU GO
FIFTEEN YEARS AND YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY
WE LOVE YOU MORE EACH PASSING DAY.
Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUBBY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUBBY
OKAY BUBBY HERE’S THE DEAL
YOU’RE OLD ENOUGH TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL
SO WHEN YOU DO REMEMBER THIS
A SAFE DRIVER DOES’NT START WITH A KISS
IT IS YOUR BIRTHDAY SON AND A BIG ONE TOO
THAT’S WHY WE’RE HERE TO CELEBRATE WITH YOU
BEING SWEET SIXTEEN IS A ONE TIME THING
NEVER AGAIN WILL YOU HAVE SUCH A FLING
OVER THE YEARS WE HAVE WATCHED YOU GROW
AS NANNA’S BOOK WILL HAPPILY SHOW
A GREAT YOUNG MAN YOU TURNED OUT TO BE
WITH A WONDERFUL FUTURE EASY TO SEE
YOUR BONES ARE STRONG, THE MUSCLES WE SEE
THE WORKOUT ETHIC IS STEADY AS A TREE
THE KINDNESS YOU EXUDE AND THE THINGS YOU SHARE
WILL ALWAYS LEAD YOU, NO MATTER THE DARE
WHEN YOU ARE OUT AND ABOUT AND FEEL LIKE YOU’RE STARVIN
JUST THINK WHAT YOU WANT AND INSERT IN YOUR GARMIN
IT WILL TAKE YOU PLACES WHEN YOU DRIVE AND ARE DATING
AND IF YOU MISS A TURN IT WILL SAY “RECALCULATING”
BUBBY, WE ALL LOVE YOU AND WANT YOU TO KNOW
WE WISH YOU THE BEST AS YOU CONTINUE TO GROW
YOU ARE A GREAT YOUNG MAN WITH A FUTURE THAT’S BLESSED
YOU ARE GOD’S GIFT TO US ALL, WE MUST CONFESS
STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF, FAMILY AND FRIENDS
NEVER STRAY FROM THAT, NO MATTER HOW IT BENDS
LOVE YOURSELF AND ALL YOU DO
GOD WILL NEVER ABANDON YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY,
POPS
GOD MADE THE EARTH
HE RESTED THEN
HE MADE A MAN
AND RESTED AGAIN
HE MADE A WOMAN
AT MANS EXPENSE
AND GOD NOR MAN
HAVE RESTED SINCE