Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Sailing




Sailing was always such a big part of Dad's life. As a young man he sailed a wooden snipe with his brother, Bob, on Portage Lake in the summer. When we were young dad always had a snipe in the garage that he would work on in the winter--sanding, varnishing and getting it ready for the summer races. He would race out of Burnham Harbor in Chicago and also on Portage Lake. We did the sailing races circuit, too. Dad had 3 crews --John was for a heavy wind day, I was for a moderate wind day and Nancy was the light wind crew. In later years he also had Sarah and Bill crew for him. The competition was lots of fun and we got to meet many interesting people.
The Snipe had been a very popular boat but interest in it was waning..On Portage the small Sunfish became the sailboat to have and dad did his share of racing in the Sunfish races. In fact he still will ask if the Sunfish is all put away for the winter or sometimes he asks if it is safely buoyed on the lake.
Finally, mom and dad bought the big two masted boat seen in these photos. Even though mom was not a sailor, she bravely crewed with dad all over Lake Michigan. They would take their beloved dog, Lady, with them--Lady proved to be very sea worthy. Dad misses his life on the water. I wish we could go out once again with him. Dad at the helm with the wind caressing his face--I think he is often on the water these days in his mind. He will ask me sometimes when his walk is unsteady if we are on the boat. The best of memories, aren't they, Dad?




Sunday, May 8, 2011

Mother's Day at Sutter Living Center




It was a bittersweet day.
Lena and Adam surprised me and met us in Ludington.
It was so special to spend the afternoon with them.
Mom was happy while we were there and then was very tired and had to go to bed.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Happy Mother's Day 2011

 John, Nancy, Sarah, Mom, Bill and Susan












A great mom and always there for her children and grandchildren.
WE LOVE YOU, MOM
.......................................................................

Two Mothers
(anonymous)
I had two mothers...
Two mothers I claim
Two different people
Yet with the same name.

Two separate women
Diverse by design
But I loved them both
Because they were both mine.

The first was the mother
Who carried me here
Gave birth and nurtured
And launched my career.

She was the one
Whose features I bear
Complete with the facial
Expression I wear.

She gave me some music
Which follows me yet
Along with examples
In life that she set.

Then as I got older
She some younger grew
And we'd laugh as just mothers
And daughters do.

But then came the year
that her mind clouded so
And I sensed that the mother
I'd known would soon go.

So quickly she changed
And turned into the other
A stranger who dressed
In the clothes of my mother.

Oh, she looked the same
At least at arm's length
But she was the child now
And I was her strength.

We'd come full circle
We women three
My mother the first
The second and me.

And if my own children
Should come to a day
When a new mother comes
And the old goes away.

I'd ask of them nothing
that I didn't do.
Love both of your mothers
As both have loved you.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

A Long Road Home

Dad on the beach--this poem could have been written by him




What do you see nurses? .......What do you see?

What are you thinking......when you're looking at me?

A crabby old man, ....not very wise,

Uncertain of habit ........with faraway eyes?



Who dribbles his food.......and makes no reply.

When you say in a loud voice....."I do wish you'd try!"

Who seems not to notice ....the things that you do.

And forever is losing .............. A sock or shoe?



Who, resisting or not...........lets you do as you will,

With bathing and feeding ...... The long day to fill?

Is that what you're thinking? Is that what you see?

Then open your eyes, nurse......you're not looking at me.



I'll tell you who I am ....... As I sit here so still,

As I do at your bidding, .....as I eat at your will.

I'm a small child of Ten......with a father and mother,

Brothers and sisters ......who love one another



A young boy of Sixteen ...........with wings on his feet

Dreaming that soon now. .........a lover he'll meet.

A groom soon at Twenty .........my heart gives a leap.

Remembering, the vows........that I promised to keep.



At Twenty-Five, now .......... I have young of my own.

Who need me to guide ...... And a secure happy home.

A man of Thirty ......... My young now grown fast,

Bound to each other ......... With ties that should last.



At Forty, my young ones ........have grown and are gone,

But my woman's beside me........to see ! I don't mourn.

At Fifty, once more, ......... Babies play 'round my knee,

Again, we know children ....... My loved one and me.

I'm now an old man.........and nature is cruel.

'Tis jest to make old age .......look like a fool.

The body, it crumbles..........grace and vigor, depart.

There is now a stone........where I once had a heart.



But inside this old carcass ...... A young guy still dwells,

This was written by a man with Alzheimer's in a nursing home and found upon his death.

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