My Daughter/My Son-Author Unknown

As I watch you grow and leave your childhood behind,
I have so many wishes for you...
I wish you confidence to face challenges...

Wisdom to choose your path...
Adventure and joy to greet you...
I wish you contentment born of simple things...

Friends and cherished moments.
Most of all I wish you love, 
I am so very proud of you.

A Mother's Lament for the Death of Her Son-Robert Burns 1759-1796, Poem, 1788

Fate gave the word, the
arrow sped,
And pierc'd my darling's heart;
And with him all the joys
are fled
Life can to me impart.

By cruel hands the
sapling drops,
In dust dishonours'd laid;
So fell the pride of all my
hopes,
My age's future shade.

The mother-Linnet in the
brake
Bewails her ravish'd
young,
 So I, for my lost darling's
sake,
Lament the live-day long.

Death, oft I've feared thy
fatal blow.
Now, fond, I bare my
breast;
O, do thou kindly lay me
low
With him I love, at rest!

How Cruel are the Parents-Robert Burns 1759-1796. The Other Ayrshire Poet

Altered from an old English song.

tune-"John Anderson, my jo."

How cruel are the parents Who riches only prize, And to the wealthy booby Poor Woman sacrifice! Meanwhile, the hapless Daughter Has but a choice of strife; To shun a tyrant Father's hate- Become a wretched Wife. The ravening hawk pursuing, The trembling dove thus flies, To shun impelling ruin, Awhile her pinions tries; Till, of escape despairing, No shelter or retreat, She trusts the ruthless Falconer, And drops beneath his feet.

Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms-Thomas Moore

Believe Me,
If All Those Endearing Young Charms
This is an Irish Song of the early 1800s. The melody had been used earlier for the poem My Lodging it is in the Cold Ground (the words were also associated with another tune by Locke). It was first printed in 1737 in London, but is probably much older. There was also a set of Scottish lyrics I Lo'ed Ne'er a Laddie But Ane. In 1808 Thomas Moore wrote the lyrics that are popular today. There is also a Harvard version of lyrics to the tune, Fair Harvard; of course, all are now public domain.

Believe me, if all those endearing young charms,
Which I gaze on so fondly to-day,
Were to change by to-morrow, and fleet in my arms,
Like fairy-gifts fading away,
Thou wouldst still be adored, as this moment thou art,
Let thy loveliness fade as it will,
And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart
Would entwine itself verdantly still.

It is not while beauty and youth are thine own
And thy cheeks unprofaned by a tear,
 That the fervour and faith of a soul can be known,
 To which will but make thee more dear;
No, the heart that has truly loved never forgets,
But as truly loves on to the close,
 As the sun-flower turns on her god, when he sets.
The same look which she turn'd when he rose.
--Thomas Moore

Abandoned Dog- Robert W. Service (1874-1958)

Abandoned Dog

They dumped it on the lonely road,       Then like a streak they sped; And as along the way I strode       I thought that it was dead: And then I saw that yelping pup       Rise, race to catch them up.     You know how silly wee dogs are.       It thought they were in fun. Trying to overtake their car       I saw it run and run: But as they faster, faster went,       It stumbled, sore and spent. I found it prone upon the way;       Of life was little token. As limply in the dust it lay       I thought its heart was broken: Then one dim eye it opened and       It sought to like my hand. Of course I took it gently up       And brought it to my wife Who loves all dogs, and now that pup       Shares in our happy life: Yet how I curse the bastards who       Its good luck never knew!

Ugly The Cat

Everyone in the apartment complex I lived in knew who Ugly was. Ugly was the resident tomcat. Ugly loved three things in this world: fighting, eating garbage, and, shall we say, love.

The combination of these things combined with a life spent outside had their effect on Ugly. To start with, he had only one eye and where the other should have been was a hole. He was also missing his ear on the same side, his left foot appeared to have been badly broken at one time, and had healed at an unnatural angle, making him look like he was always turning the corner.

Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby, striped type, except for the sores covering his head, neck, and even his shoulders. Every time someone saw Ugly there was the same reaction. “That’s one UGLY cat !”

All the children were warned not to touch him, the adults threw rocks at him, hosed him down, squirted him when he tried to come in their homes, or shut his paws in the door when he would not leave. Ugly always had the same reaction.

If you turned the hose on him, he would stand there, getting soaked until you gave up and quit. If you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around your feet in forgiveness.

Whenever he spied children, he would come running, meowing frantically and bump his head against their hands, begging for their love.

If you ever picked him up he would immediately begin suckling on your shirt, earrings, whatever he could find.

One day Ugly shared his love with the neighbor’s dogs. They did not respond kindly, and Ugly was badly mauled. I tried to rush to his aid. By the time I got to where he was laying, it was apparent Ugly’s sad life was almost at an end.

As I picked him up and tried to carry him home, I could hear him wheezing and gasping, and could feel him struggling. It must be hurting him terribly, I thought.

Then I felt a familiar tugging, sucking sensation on my ear. Ugly, in so much pain, suffering and obviously dying, was trying to suckle my ear. I pulled him closer to me, and he bumped the palm of my hand with his head, then he turned his one golden eye towards me, and I could hear the distinct sound of purring.

Even in the greatest pain, that ugly battled scarred cat was asking only for a little affection, perhaps some compassion. At that moment I thought Ugly was the most beautiful, loving creature I had ever seen. Never once did he try to bite or scratch me, try to get away from me, or struggle in any way. Ugly just looked up at me completely trusting in me to relieve his pain.

Ugly died in my arms before I could get inside, but I sat and held him for a long time afterwards, thinking about how one scarred, deformed little stray could so alter my opinion about what it means to have true pureness of spirit, to love so totally and truly.

Ugly taught me more about giving and compassion than a thousand books, lectures, or talk show specials ever could, and for that I will always be thankful. He had been scarred on the outside, but I was scarred on the inside, and it was time for me to move on and learn to love truly and deeply. To give my total to those I cared for.

Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, beautiful, but for me…I will always try to be Ugly.

Author Unknown

A Father, His Daughter, and His Son.

A Father, His Daughter, and His Son.

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, good wine in the other, totally worn out and screaming: 'Wooo Hoooo, what a ride! I wanna go round again!' 

Consequently, we need to teach our daughters the difference between a man who flatters her and a man who invests in her- for life; a man who views her as his property and a man who views her properly. 

We must teach her the difference between a man who lusts after her and a man who loves her; a man who believes he is a gift from “The Mother” to all women and a man who know that woman is Mother’s gift to man. AND THEN: we must teach ourselves; and our sons; to be that man.

No father ever wants to see,

his children go a muck;

so every day-in every way,

he does his level best;

to help them find a way,

to stand up to life's test.

He knows he cannot always be there,

and at times they will have to fail;

or learn; on their own; what’s best

no matter how it hurts to know

he must never think her lest;

for she must also grow.

Protector of a youthful heart;

consoler for all youth’s pains;

your first true love; your hero too

the very life within your veins;

never did he go away,

for all that life retains;

He’s your Daddy-don’t you know?

So, my child, love your father now;

give back some of what he has given you.

Because it’s flow is unconditional;

and asks for no reward;

now days such love is rare

and only he could teach you how. 

©Al (Alex-Alexander) D Girvan. All rights reserved.

Princess in my Heart A father's tribute to his daughter

Princess in my Heart-3
A father's tribute to his daughter

You are a princess in my heart,

I care for you oh so much.

I love the fondness in your eyes and in your tender touch.

I looked at you when you were born,

and I could not but laugh.

I knew right then, right straight away,

that I would be forever here

to watch you grow and play.

You bring to me a heart of joy,

and memories so great;

a powerful sense of fatherhood,

that no one can debate.

I’ve watched you sleep and dream,

of things, that I can only wonder.

That innocent look upon your face,

it just made my heart grow fonder.

To see you run, and jump, and shout, while calling out my name;

I knew no love that I'd  ever know could ever feel 
the same.

No suffering, nor tragedy, nor deeply searing pain;

could ever overshadow the bond that we retain.

And you are still my princess;

so before you go to sleep,

Remember I am your daddy and I am yours to keep=Forever.

©Al (Alex-Alexander)D. Girvan. All rights reserved.

Whether your daughter is still a little girl,

 or a grown-up woman, 

she'll always remain as your little girl;

she will hold a special place in your heart--FOREVER.

As she stretched your tolerance with the sulky attitude of a teenage girl;
It's probably from your daughter that you learned about the sweetness and spice of little girls--
forever!

From her, you learned about patience; and forgiveness, no matter.

Whatever, wherever, whoever  she has chosen,

no matter!

You may not like who she has become,

the things she does, the path she take,

No matter!

Not yours, the choice was her's to make .

You no longer like her, whatever,

 you loved her then--no matter!

 Love her now, feel proud,

 She has your heart--

 FOREVER.

--Al (Alex Alexander)D Girvan

Love:

Love:

Not something to fall in or out of;
it must be kept with you,
your whole life throu.

This doing, this being;

is not the coo of a turtle dove,

Heartbreaking work is Love.

But, love makes it's own reward;

Sent to keep your brain awhirl;
She's"YOUR LITTLE GIRL".

******      ******      ******      ******      ******      ******      ******

To She, Who is My Daughter

To She, Who is My Daughter

I loved you from the moment I first saw you.

For in you I saw all my hopes and dreams;

The future to begin, and blossom.

I tried to teach you to believe in yourself

I gave you the wings,

Taught you to fly-the best I could.

When the day did come for your solo flight;

You spread your wings-like an eagle soared,

With our shared dreams-but not the same,

All your aspirations, I could never name.

You became everything I hoped a daughter to be.

How grateful I am that

Regardless of time and relentless space,

In my mind, I still see your face

You are still, as you will always be,

My beloved daughter.
©Al (Alex-Alexander) D Girvan 2012, All rights reserved

Dad Says..

Don't ask me , ask your mother.

Were you raised in a barn? Close the door.

You didn't beat me. I let you win.

Big boys don't cry

Don't worry It's only blood.

Don't you know any normal boys?

Now you listen to ME, Buster!

I'll play catch after I read the paper.

Coffee will stunt your growth.

A little dirt never hurt anyone--just wipe it off.

Get you elbows off the table.

I told you to keep your eye on the ball.

Who said life was supposed to be fair?

Always say please and thank you.

that way, you get more.

If you forget,

you'll be grounded till the end of the world.

You call that a haircut

"Hey" is for horses.

This will hurt me a lot more than it hurts you.

Turn off those lights

Do you think I am made of Money?

Don't give me any of your lip, young lady.

You call that noise "music".No we,re not there yet.

Shake it off. It's only pain.

When I was your age,

I treated My father with respect.

As long as you live under my roof,

you'll live by my rules.

I'll tell you why. Because I said so. That's why.

Do what I say, not what I do.

it up straight, Knucklehead!

So you think you're smart do you?

What's so funny? Wipe that smile off your face.

Young ldies perspire, they do not sweat.

If I've told you once

I've told you a thousand times.

You want something to do?

I'll give you something to do.

You should visit more often.

Your mother worries.

This is your last warning.

I'm not sleeping, I was watching that channel.

What keep those jeans of yours frm falling off?

I'm not just talking to hear my own voice. I knew how to cook,

when I was your age, young lady.
Don't take yourself seriously,
take what you do seriously!
Laugh at youself first,
you'll take the bite out of others doing so for you.
You're always a winner, if you lose with a smile.
In MY day...
Four things come not back:
time past, the spoken word, the sped arrow, 
and the missed opportunity.
You can want in one hand and spit in the other.
See which one fills up first.
If your friend jumped off a bridge would you? 
If, I didn't love you so much, i would't punish you..
I would let you do whatever you wanted.
You have things so easy.
When I was your age
I  had to walk a mile to school in 10 feet of snow,
up hill both ways!
If you want to catch a bird, you have to  put salt on it's tail.
You're only young once.
Life is a journey
and you've just reached one of the many
speed bumps to come.
Don't look at me in that tone of voice.
How many times
do I have to pound that into your head.
If you want to do something,
do it because YOU want to.
Don't do it because someone else did.
As long as you tried your very best,
that's all that matters.
If ifs and buts were candies and nuts
then we'd all have a merry Christmas.
Don't believe anything you hear,
and only half of what you see.
What part of NO don't you understand.
I could care less what everybody else is doing!
I'm not everybody else's father!
Put your head through the window
and the pain will be gone.
Worrying about things is like a rocking chair..
it give you something to do
but it doesn't get you anywhere.
I feel for you but I can't reach you from here.
If you're going to act dumb,
you've gotta be tough.
With anything in life,
it's hard to be good and easy to be very bad.
I got my tongue wrapped around my eye-tooth
and could't see what I was saying.
Hot chicks are like buses.
Just wait on the corner
and another one will come along.
Don't tell on anybody,
unless you tell on yourself first.
Enough is enough

 in spite of it all,

 you always know
, 
YOU WILL ALWAYS BE

Your Daddy's little Girl 

******

****

She has the spirit of the sun--Julie Perkins Cantrell

She has the spirit of the sun,

the moods of the moon,

the will of the wind.

--Julie Perkins Cantrell

Finish each day and be done with it.-Rolph Waldo Emerson

Finish each day and be done with it.

You have done what you could;

some blunders and absurdities have crept in;

forget them as soon as you can.

Tomorrow is a new day;

you shall begin it serenely;

and with too high a spirit,

to be encumbered with your old nonsense.

-- Rolph Waldo Emerson

You Are Loved

The Following Poem

Will Serve For Daughter

 Or An Equally Beloved Son.

You Are Loved

When the road seems too long

When darkness sets in

When everything turns out wrong

And you can't find a friend

Remember ~ you are loved

When smiles are hard to come by

And you're feeling down

When you spread your wings to fly

And can't get off the ground

Remember ~ you are loved.

When time runs out before you're through

And it's over before you begin

When little things get to you

And you just can't win

Remember ~ you are loved.

When your loved ones are far away

And you are on your own

When you don't know what to say

When you're afraid of being alone

Remember ~ you are loved.

When your sadness comes to an end

And everything is going right

May you think of your family and friends

And keep their love in sight

A thank-you for being loved.

May you see the love around you

In everything you do

And when troubles seem to surround you

May all the love shine through

You are blessed ~ you are loved.

by Roger Pinches