Sweet Gabriel

In celebration of our grandson’s first year of life
b. 14 June 2005

The Gatlinburg hills bid goodnight to the sun
as our family had gathered inside,
to honor our father, in this golden of years,
and our mother, his sweet loving bride.

There was more to the night, I was soon to be told
with news that would leave me in awe,
in whispering voice, my wife said to me,
"You’re soon to be called a grandpa."

It took me a while to let it sink in
of a title just given to me,
our first little girl, with long golden curls
will now have her own family.

The months seemed to fly and then came the call,
from her hubby to tell us what’s new.
"The water has broken, she’s in gown and a room,
come over, the baby is due."

It wasn’t too long before your cry met our ears
and our eyes became full of great joy,
there in the arms of a new mom and dad
was a beautiful, beautiful boy.

With each passing day you have grown in our hearts
and soon you’ll be walking quite well.
With all of our love, on this day you turn one,
Happy Birthday, sweet Gabriel.

The Wonder of It All

You’ve awakened me gently
with your sweet smelling call,
how it raises my passion
for the wonder of it all.

Your golden mane is flowing
with a softness so fine,
every time there comes a change
you’ve given me the sign.

When I stop and sit by your side
and watch the noon rays fall,
I am totally immersed
by the wonder of it all.

When your emotions come heavy
with abandon and cause,
there is quite an amazement
by the wonder of it all.

I sense myself belonging
in the confines of your space,
the way you look, feel and smell
puts a smile upon my face.

To lie beneath your tilted smile
and see an ember fall,
I cannot stop my aching for
the wonder of it all.

There’s times I feel I’m all alone
until I look around,
your presence is always near
by feel, sight or sound.

You speak to me, but not with words
to reach my inner soul,
the strength that you have given me
has made my life seem whole.

My years they keep on gaining
with a quickening ascent,
and with your help of knowledge
I’ll know what it has meant.

I think of you so deeply
that waters start to fall,
I cannot hold my wet eyes back
from the wonder of it all.

On restless nights I toss and turn
my mind is trapped not free,
it’s then I see your caring arms
are here to comfort me.

Oh, how I wish to speak of you
but words from me are small,
the joy of life you’ve given me
is the wonder of it all.