Michelle At forty-Two

By her loving father  11/1/08

          What a joy Michelle still brings,

And cheers our heart when e'er she sings.

It wasn't always like a bell.

No jealousy from Miss Temple.

But then her voice somehow changed.

Her vocal chords were rearranged.

So with her voice she went to school.

And met a guy she thought was cool.

When he finally made up his mind,

He said, "She's the best there is to find."”

So they were married one summer's day.

Then soon their kids were on their way.

Lydia, then Leah, then Eric came last.

As grandchildren they're unsurpassed.

At school or play they're number one.

Mom pushes them past setting sun.

When she's compared to all the rest;

In years to come they'll say, "We're blest."”

Her expectations are off the chart.

But she loves them all with all her heart.

Jim at Thirty-Eight

By your father-in-law 11/1/08

If you need your computer fixed,

Jim knows which icons to be clicked.

But you better call before February,

Cause twins can make one awfully weary.

A boy and a girl at the same time.

With double the diapers full of grime.

For just the Pampers bill alone,

You'll have to have a new home loan.

Until the twins are at least half-grown,

Kim won't have time for the telephone.

By then she'll have forgotten how a cell phone works,

And all the names of her consignment clerks.

Jim's like a race horse at the starting gate;

Because after all he's just thirty-eight.

In the prime of his life and full of charm.

With a boy and a girl; one in each arm.

I am NOT  64. I am 63.

TO  MY  SWEETHEART  AT  SIXTY-FOUR

By Dean Beaty 11/14/08

They say that beauty is only skin deep.

But yours, my dear, is here to keep.

I haven’t looked beneath the skin.

To me her beauty comes from within.

The schoolgirl look, that may be gone.

But that’s not what I focus on.

She’s still beautiful in my eyes,

And so I’m blest, I realize.

For forty-three years you’ve spoiled me.

That isn’t bad out of fifty-three.

I hope together we last that long,

Because with you I can’t go wrong.

So much love we have come to share.

Together each burden we two will bear.

I love you so without degree,

And will my love through eternity.

                                    TO  MY  SWEETHEART  AT  64

By Dean Beaty 11/14/08

They say that beauty is only skin deep.

But yours, my dear, is here to keep.

I haven't looked beneath the skin.

To me her beauty comes from within.

The schoolgirl look, that may be gone.

But that's not what I focus on.

She's still beautiful in my eyes,

And so I'm blest, I realize.

For forty-three years you've spoiled me.

That isn't bad out of fifty-three.

I hope together we last that long,

Because with you I can't go wrong.

So much love we have come to share.

Together each burden we two will bear.

I love you so without degree,

And will my love through eternity.

TYLER  AT  TWELVE

By Silly Papaw 11/18/08

I hear I have a grandson - who loves to splash and swim.

If wishes really did come true - then we would be with him.

Jackie, kiss his cheek for me - and Tad please pinch his rear.

It stimulates the growth hormones, - just how it isn’t clear.

If I joined you in the pool - I would flop about.

With just one arm and leg that works, you’d have to pull me out.

I hear you had a great fun time, - though they tried to kicked you out.

Where else you gonna change wet clothes - without a good lookout.

I can see the whole thing now; - Tyler; naked as can be.

You would make the T.V. news - like a celebrity.

I would see this streaking boy – go across my T.V. screen.

And I would laugh and point and say, - “At least the child is clean.”

I hope your day was filled with fun - though we could not be there.

But one thing please remember, - we really, really care.

Maybe if I wish real hard – by Christmas you’ll be here.

Because there’s no one quite like you - to fill our hearts with cheer.

(And not the soap kind)

Birthday December 2