HAPPY BABY DAY

Today’s obscure holiday is Baby Day; it is the subject of this rhyme

If for no other reason than to remember...we were babies at one time.

But we’ve all grown up and away from those innocent days of yore

And certainly we all realize...we’re not babies anymore.

But on a day that celebrates the baby wouldn’t it be great to find a way

To treat everyone we meet...like they’re a baby for a day.

It’s actually not a bad idea...imagine the consequences...the reach

(Although I draw the line at letting everyone run naked on the beach.)

Let’s take a look at what would happen if today everyone we see

We would find in them the baby...and treat them differently.

We would smile in their presence and for effort we wouldn’t lack

As we tried in every way we could to make them smile back.

We would comment on their beauty, their face, their eyes, their hair

We would try to make them feel special anyplace and anywhere.

We would applaud the little things they do, when they stand up, when they crawl

We would encourage their independence but help them when they fall.

We would treat them with love and kindness, help to heal their pains and aches

We would be accepting, we’d be gentle and we’d forgive them their mistakes.

We would find more time to play with them, we’d have more time to share

We would show them by our actions they’re important and we care.

We would enjoy the little things they do, all these people whom we meet

And realize it’s those little things that make our life complete.

I wonder if we treated everyone with compassion, with dignity and grace?

If we treated them like babies...wouldn’t this be a better place?

Obscure or not I like this holiday and I’m going to find a way

To celebrate by treating everyone as if they were a baby for a day.

THE INTRICACIES OF THE GAME

I remember years ago taking our children to the ballpark on a bright and sunny day.

We wore baseball caps, sat in the stands and watched grown men at play.

We’d been sitting for a few innings when I heard my daughter exclaim

“Daddy, this is boring...what do you like about this game?”

It seemed at their young age my children didn’t share my adoration

And I’m sure they weren’t quite ready for a lengthy explanation.

As we basked in the sunshine eating hot dogs with ketchup and mustard on our buns

I could have explained the rules of the game, what are strikes and balls and runs.

I could have taken that opportunity surrounded by my children and my wife

To explain how baseball, if we let it, can teach us about life.

I could have pointed out although it is individual player’s name we scream

Baseball teaches people to work together as a team.

That baseball teaches humility for no matter how hard you work, or what path you choose

Sometimes you’re going to win...and sometimes you’re going to lose.

That baseball teacher perseverance, determination, tenacity and grit

That you shouldn’t worry when you strike out for you’ll get another chance to hit.

That you must endure the slumps in your life and the havoc they may wreak

If you’re also to enjoy the jubilance when you’re on a winning streak.

I wanted to say no matter how many bases you run...no matter where you roam

That life will circle back and you’ll always feel safe at home.

All these thoughts went through my mind as we sat in the park that day

Wondering what to tell my children as we watched grown men at play.

“What do I like about baseball,” I said smiling for suddenly I knew

“What I like best about baseball” I said...is sharing it with you.

Our children are all grown now, as far as baseball...that’s a shame

Because I never got to explain to them the intricacies of the game.

HONESTY DAY

Today is Honesty Day where telling the truth is the only rule

It began in the early ’90’s as the antithesis to April Fools.

And if we’re being totally honest...if we really take a look

The man who created this day was just trying to sell a book.

But in a world where we are shocked when people are honest and have come to expect deceit

Today’s a good day in the scheme of things, to give honesty a tweet!

Certainly not total honesty...I’m not advocating that

Take for instance the dreaded question...Do these jeans make my butt look fat?

To answer that question honestly you’d have to be a lunatic

No, I’m talking about honesty in other aspects of life...take for instance...politics.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if instead of giving us the usual political spiel

The politicians of today told us exactly how they feel?

Politicians need to remember their math..when it’s dishonesty you apply

Even when you tell a half truth....you’re still telling one whole lie.

I find it very confusing, I wish someone could tell me...forsooth

How did we get to the point in our lives when the lies became the truth?

I do have an answer I’d like to propose...perhaps it is now the only way

To ensure politicians will be honest, not just today but every day.

In harkening back to my childhood...wouldn’t it be great if we could require

When a politician is telling a lie...his or her pants really would catch on fire.

Think about the upside for when all is said and done

It would make honesty the best policy again...and politics a lot more fun.

GREAT GRANDPA'S SMILE

His face shows some weathering...a result of all those miles

But every wrinkle disappears when Great Grandpa smiles.

We have friends who tried to have a baby but that blessing never came

So they decided to adopt a child and share with her their name.

That they’d be willing to share their life showed their kindness and their grace

It made Great Grandpa proud and brought a smile to his face.

But Fate can be a fickle creature for once the seeds of adoption had been sown

They found, to their surprise, they’d be having a child of their own.

They quickly progressed from no baby...to one baby, and now they’re having two

When he heard the news, he thought a while, then Great Grandpa’s smile grew.

They were blessed last week with the arrival of their newest family member

One girl...to be followed by another in September.

It did not matter to him that she came from someone else’s womb

When they put her in his arms Great Grandpa’s smile lit the room.

They have a few months to settle in...to see how a baby will change their lives...

A few months to get comfortable...before baby 2 arrives.

When that day comes and both babies are gently placed in Great Grandpa’s embrace

I can only imagine the size of the smile that will appear upon his face.

One never knows what’s around the bend...what destiny has in mind

What makes it easier is the way our friends and family intertwine.

I have no doubt this new family will flourish...even if it takes a while

I can see it in the affirmation of one Great Grandpa’s smile. 

"THINGS ARE ALWAYS BETTER IN THE MORNING"

Happy birthday Harper Lee; your life certainly deserves a look

Despite the fact in your whole career you published just one book.

But oh what a book that is...many today are still mesmerized by your words

Thank you for taking the time to create...To Kill A Mockingbird.

Your book taught us about understanding...seeing other’s points of view

It taught us about acceptance and walking in someone else’s shoes.

It taught us about courage...how with integrity you must stand up and meet

Whatever comes your way...even in the face of certain defeat.

It taught us courage is knowing in any situation what you have to do

And no matter how difficult it seems you must somehow see it through.

It showed us about how prejudice and close mindedness can be so totally absurd

By reminding us of the purity and innocence inherent in the mockingbird.

Thanks for writing a book that told a story but didn’t preach

That showed us setting a good example is a better way to teach.

Thanks for introducing us to all those great characters and taking us on that trek

Is it true your father was the basis for Atticus Finch? Did he look like GregoryPeck?

It’s amazing what the written word can do in the hands of someone who can write

It has the power to teach, to excite, to change us...to inspire and delight.

Today we pay tribute to a woman who understood the whole world should be free.

She did it all in the pages of one great book..thank you Harper Lee.

OUR EYES

When we gaze upon a rainbow and marvel at it’s artistry

Our eyes enjoy the totality of the beauty that we see.

When we gaze upon the mountains...trees and peaks that rise so high

Our eyes enjoy the panorama as it stretches across the sky.

When we gaze upon the ocean, we stand in awe of its magnitude

Our eyes attempt to comprehend it’s vast infinitude.

When we see a photograph on the wall...a portrait of a family

Our eyes tend to blend the faces into a harmonious symmetry. 

To take the isolated sights we see, to record and analyze

Then show us the whole picture...is the essence of our eyes.

They synthesize the aspects of our life, the big, the vast, the small

Allowing us to enjoy everything...from rainbows to portraits on the wall.

But occasionally it behooves us to look more intimately...

To step back and enjoy the specific parts that make up what we see.

We spent some time with Taylor one of four grandchildren with whom we have been blessed.

Just he and us together...apart from all the rest.

Doing this allows our eyes to take a little peek...

And focus on the characteristics that make him so unique.

When we do this quite abruptly it seems our life is rearranged

As the view from inside our eyes has somehow altered...somehow changed.

All of a sudden when we see a rainbow our eyes begin to entertain

The beauty that’s created from one little drop of rain.

We see the individual trees that form the mountains rising up across the land

We see the single ocean droplets as they flow along the sand.

We understand it is the individual pieces that give a picture it’s soul

That there is as much beauty in each individual, as there is within the whole.

I had to smile when we dropped Taylor off and it was time to say goodbye

You see I noticed the family portrait on the wall...through more explicit eyes.

PRETZEL DAY

Today is National Pretzel Day, so my hat I’ll give a tip

To the long suffering cousin of the more popular potato chip.

I’m not sure how it happened, the who, what, where or when

But in a list of the most popular snacks...pretzels aren’t in the top 10?

I mean pretzels lose out to Cheetos...sure they may be a little bit duller

But come on, Cheetos leave your fingers orange...and is that even a real color?

And if you think that doesn’t bother the pretzel...think another thought

I imagine that’s the real reason they’re all tied up knots.

Today I glorify the pretzel and spread good pretzel thoughts across the land

Did you know they were shaped originally to resemble praying hands?

Here’s an interesting little fact, an often forgotten stat

You know the marriage term ‘tie the knot....we have the pretzel to thank for that.

Pretzels used to be a part of weddings, held by the couple for everyone to see

To be broken together, then eaten in a symbol of unity.

The pretzel is thought to signify good luck, German children believe it brings good cheer

That’s why they tie one around their neck at the beginning of each new year.

Pretzels once adorned Christmas trees, hey, this is a snack with legs...

At one time they were even hidden...on Easter Sunday with the eggs.

A long time ago pretzels were a common way to help the poor get fed.

They were often thought so highly of...they were buried with the dead!

I could go on but think I’ve made a case for pretzels...all other snacks...in your face!

For once people read this little poem you’ll all be vying for second place.

Yes, move over Ritz, Cheetos, Lays and all those other chips...you’ve had your fun.

It’s time for the pretzel to take it’s rightful place as the snack world’s number 1.