Tag: family

NaPoWriMo Day 21

On By WinstonIn Extended Family,, family, Health, Love, Loving Life, My Awesome Wife, my blessed life, my Dog, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, Relationships, The Choices We MakeLeave a comment

As I have mentioned a few times, I have been off work for some time for health reasons. I’m finally going back in a week or two and financially, it’s not a moment too soon. Personally though the past few months have had one important upside. More time with my wife, dog and extended family. I’ve also been able to devote more time to my art. It’s been great… aside from the whole sick and broke thing. Anyway, today’s poem is about that. Enjoy!

The Value of Time

Another day, a dollar earned,

That’s how the stories go,

But what is paid for what is earned,

That’s something most don’t know.

 

But I have spent some time away,

From works’ mad, hectic pace,

And if I could, I would withdraw,

From that one-sided race.

 

For what is paid is my dear time,

And I have none to spare,

Time with my wife and with my dog,

All those for whom I care.

 

I know the company cares not,

Not what they’re there to do,

Don’t kid yourself that you’re unique,

There’s countless more like you.

 

They’ll suck you dry, then cast you off,

Replace you in a blink,

And you’ll have sold all of your time,

For far less than you think.

 

We must all work, I understand,

There’s nothing much for free,

So, trade my time with those I love,

For their security.

 

Though I’ve been sick and money’s tight,

This time I don’t resent,

For time at home with family,

Is always time well spent.

Cheers,

NaPoWriMo Day 8

On By WinstonIn A Blessing, family, Friendship, homesickness, Love, Loving Life, Memories, my blessed life, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, Relationships, The Choices We Make, ValuesLeave a comment

I moved away from my hometown 25 years ago. I left behind my family and almost everyone I knew. I made a new start and haven’t regretted that decision for a minute. But that doesn’t mean I don’t miss them. This weekend, my brother and his wife were in the area visiting her family so we had the chance to get together. It was like we’ve never been apart. That is a gift and a blessing. Happy Easter to those who celebrate it. Enjoy!

My Family Blessing

I have been blessed throughout my life,
With family I have found,
Both that which I was born into,
And those life brought around.

They’ve brought me through my darkest times,
Been there to celebrate,
They praise me when I’m doing well,
Coach when I’m not so great.

But mostly they are always there,
Though they aren’t seen for years,
For when we talk, we still will share,
Our laughter and our tears.

Sometimes we argue, disagree,
As people sometimes do,
Sometimes our tongues get sharper than,
They should, I know it’s true.

But then we talk and work it out,
Remember who we are,
Remember that without them all,
We’d not have come so far.

Though we may not forget some slight,
Forgiveness is our way,
Remember there’s more good than bad,
Whatever pride may say.

For that’s what family means to us,
And always will to me,
Forever one, forever loved,
And ever more will be.

Cheers,

NaPoWriMo 2022 Day 25

On By WinstonIn A Father's Wish, family, Love, my blessed life, my daughter, NaPoWriMo, Personal, PoetryLeave a comment

I’ve written poems about my wife, and about my dogs, but I don’t think I’ve ever written one about my daughter. This one is for her.

A Father’s Wish

I wish you joy to temper pain,

Some sun your clouds to chase.

I wish you love to lift you up,

To gently touch your face.

I wish you peace when weariness,

Tells you you can’t go on.

I wish you friends to carry you,

When all your strength is gone.

I wish you luck for everyone,

I know needs luck at times.

I wish you hope to not give up,

In spite of all life’s crimes.

But most of all I wish you sight,

To see the one I see.

And courage that you may become,

Who’ere you’re meant to be.

I pray that every wish you wish,

Is someday coming true.

Because your joy is my one wish,

My daughter I love you.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo Day 11

On By WinstonIn family, Loving Life, NaPoWriMo, Personal, UncategorizedLeave a comment

My daughter will be moving out in a couple of months. It’s time, and I’m happy for her to be taking this step. But in my heart, she’s always going to be my little girl… and I’m going to miss her.

FOR MY DAUGHTER

I love my daughter very much,

Each day I tell her so.

I watched her learn and watched her change,

I watched and helped her grow.

 

I know that soon she’ll move away,

That’s how it’s meant to be.

I know that I am going to miss,

The time she spent with me.

 

I’m blessed to have her in my life,

I don’t regret a thing.

Except for moments I have missed,

That’s one bell I’d unring.

 

When she was young it seemed we’d have,

Forever and a day.

But now she’s close to leaving and,

The time just flies away.

 

I know that I will see her still,

When she has moved away.

But it’s the million little things,

That i will miss each day.

 

The smiles, pokes, demands for hugs,

And random, pointless talks.

The way she rolls her eyes and groans,

‘Bout picking up her socks.

 

I love my daughter very much,

Each day I tell her so.

I’m proud of who she has become,

Love/hate to see her go.

 

Cheers, Winston

 

Personal Poetry Challenge Day Fifty- Nine

On By WinstonIn Loving Life, Personal, Personal Poetry Writing Challenge, Poetry2 Comments

Family is probably the most important thing in my life.  Without their influence, it’s quite likely none of this would have been written.  So if you enjoy these verses, thank them.  If not, blame me.

Enjoy!

My Family Treasure

My family is my greatest joy,
Bring out the best in me.
My wife is still my closest friend,
And she will always be.

My daughter is an awesome kid,
I’m proud to be her Dad.
She’s smart and kind and love’s her dog,
Her smile makes me glad.

My wife puts up with all my moods,
She knows my quirks so well.
I am so blessed she is the one,
So everyone I tell.

My parents raised me up to be,
The man I am today,
And though they’re gone they still live on,
In what I do and say.

My siblings were my strength when I,
Had no strength of my own.
No matter what was happening,
I never was alone.

Even my dog the Chester dog,
Is such an awesome friend.
I love them all my family,
And on that note I’ll end.

Cheers, Winston

My Happy Place

On By WinstonIn Loving Life, Personal, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Today’s post is all about the things we take for granted. This has a lot to do with being home all alone. Lynn, Cynthia and Tammy have taken my dog and run away. At least as far as our trailer. That was another thing on my niece’s to do list, spend a few days at our trailer and relax for the last of her vacation. I can’t say as I blame her at all.

Perhaps, “take for granted” isn’t quite what I want to say. Maybe it’s more about comfort. We are a comfort loving species. We live for our routines and the security of the well trod pathways of our daily lives. Personally, my routine revolves around my wife, and my daughter and my dog. Not having them here always messes me up.

Don’t misunderstand, I don’t begrudge them the time at the trailer. I just don’t feel right in my skin or in my heart when they aren’t with me. I know that sounds all kinds of needy, and but it’s more than that. They are a major part of the fabric of of my life.

When we are all home, and Cynthia spends most of her time in her room on her computer. Lynn and I are together on the couch, and but often doing differnt things. My dog is there, snoozing on his bed at our feet. It’s how my world is meant to be. We don’t do everything together. But we can if we choose to. When I don’t have that option, life isn’t as enjoyable.

Everyone has the things that make them happy, and bring them peace, and and complete them. It’s different for everyone. My family is what gets it done for me. My home is wherever they are. When they’re away, I can sit in my living room and feel far from home. That’s what I’m feeling now. I’m not so much lonely, I’m homesick, but only for a couple more days. I can tough it out for that long. I’m sure of it…….. I think.

Then I get my happy place back! ;^D

Cheers, Winston

Aimless Wandering

On By WinstonIn Loving Life, Personal, Self Awareness2 Comments

Chester. aka: The Best Dog In The World

It’s eleven p.m and I sit before my keyboard bereft of inspiration.  This is not as uncommon as I might prefer.  Tonight I may actually have an excuse.

You see, last night, I didn’t sleep.  Not at all.  Lately that’s been happening a fair bit.  I lie in bed and toss and turn.  I do breathing exercises to relax.  I count sheep.  I count goats.  I count ibexes.  Then morning comes and I get up and get on with my day.  Within a couple of days, I sleep for six or seven hours to catch it up and all is well.

Today, it was a bit more of an issue.  Today I was getting up early because today we had to close our trailer for the season.  Technically, yesterday was the last day, but hey, who’s perfect.  The amount we pay,  I don’t feel we’re abusing them with one extra day.

Long story short:  No sleep.  Pack up the trailer.  Pack everything into the car.  Put the dog in the car.  Drive home.  Unpack the car.  Rearrange the kitchen cupboard to accommodate all the food from the trailer.  Shave, shower, go to in-laws for belated Thanksgiving Dinner.

So now I’m a little over-tired.  I’m full as a tick.  Finally, I’m actually sleepy.  So, what to write about?  Oh wait, I know.  I’ll write about not being able to decide what to write about.

Maybe a nap first.

Nah.  Just wing it.  Who’s going to notice?

Good point.

So yeah.  We’ve closed our trailer for the season.  It’s always kind of sad.  No more dodging the stuff that needs doing at home.  No more excuses to sit with my feet up and read or watch movies when I know there’s a ton of things I should be doing.  I’ll miss the chipmunks rushing through the autumn leaves.  Those tiny little things make more noise than my dog.  And I don’t have a small dog.

I’ll miss sitting on my deck dozing through the heat of the day under the awning.  Listening to some soft jazz saxophone and letting my mind drift.  Which is what it’s doing now without the heat or the jazz.

I’ve learned that everything is a question of perspective.  In July I had surgery.  That was painful and scary and unpleasant to say the least.  On the other hand, it gave me two and half months at my trailer while I recovered.  Oh and it led me to start this blog to pass the time.

In September, Blockbuster Canada closed it’s doors and I found myself without a job.  That is seriously  not cool and if you want to know more, read some of my earlier posts.  On the other hand, I worked my last shift on the 27th, and got to spend the next week and a half at  my trailer in time for one of the nicest Thanksgiving weekends on the books.

A lot of things are like that.  Kind of a good news/bad news thing.  Or, the way I usually look at things, it’s more of a bad news/good news thing.  I tend to look at the bad news first.  It used to be that’s pretty much where I’d stop looking.  Now I work to see past the bad thing in my face and look for the good things hiding in it’s shadow.  Makes the world a nicer place, and me a nicer person.

Well, I can’t think of anything else to ramble about at the moment.  Except this.  Because I just had Thanksgiving Dinner, I’d like to take a moment to be really thankful for a few things.  I’m thankful for my blood family.  They have always been there for me and have given me the space to be who I wanted to be.  I’m thankful for my extended family and friends because they help to define me.  Take a look at a person’s friends and you can tell a lot about them.  I’m fortunate to have some incredible people in my life.  I’m thankful for my personal family.  For Lynn who sees more in me than I ever will and never stops trying to help me to be the person she believes in.  For Cynthia who at eighteen still sometimes asks me to tuck her in and kiss her goodnight.  For Chester who happens to be the best dog in the world and the best friend anyone ever had.

With all the negatives in the world, it’s important for me to remember just how blessed and lucky I really am.  If anyone out there is listening……. I owe you one.

Cheers, Winston.