You knew each other in primary school,

and together, you've walked on life's stage,

I think you're both so very special,

especially being married at such a tender age.

And I wanted to begin by saying thank you,

a sincere "thanks" for always being there for me,

you've made such a difference to my life,

you've made my world a better place to be.

I know I have your sense of humor,

I've done and dreamt the impossible, so I have your strength,

you've taught me to fight for what I believe in,

and I could expand on this, maybe at great length.

You've given me so much throughout my life,

at times, your hearts have been too big for your chest,

but I know, of all the grandparents in this world,

I'm so lucky, because I have the very best.

From parents to grandparents to great grandparents,

and now quite fittingly because you've deserved the great-great,

you've always loved me like I was an only daughter,

and there's a few other things I'd like to state:

You've given freely your words of wisdom,

there's been so many valuable lessons that you've taught,

I wanted to thank you for all of your love and kindness,

and special thanks for all of your unwavering support.

Your words of wisdom will simply never die,

because I hold them close, they're something I'll always treasure,

and I will pass them onto my children and their children,

and they too will have riches simply beyond measure.

Nana, your sense of humor is like no other,

and in that seasoned body, there's still a teenage mind,

you laugh at silly things, you say what you think,

and to a fault, you're so generous and kind.

You have such a strong personality,

and I guess I'm like you in so many ways,

and your love has been like my sunshine,

it's kept my life full of endless summer days.

Grandad, you're simply a precious gem,

and I wager that's not the first time that's been said,

you never say a bad word about anybody,

and if there's an example to be set, others are led.

You've always thought of me as something special,

to be precise you call me your precious little black pearl,

you've adored me since the day that I was born,

you've loved me unconditionally since I was just a wee girl.

You told me never to force a rose open,

if you let life be, it will open in it's good time,

I'll never forget your kind words when I became pregnant,

never judgmental but encouraging words of rhyme.

These things are so precious to me,

and I hold them so closely to my heart,

and I wanted to tell you of my love and gratitude,

but in truth, I just didn't know where to start.

I know I've been a strong willed girl,

but there's more of you in me than you'd dream,

and I know you've set such a good example for me,

you've shown the world how to truly be a team.

You've taught me that endurance is important,

you've taught me about the commitment in the words "I do",

and my only wish is that we can be together, forever,

because in every way, I'm so very proud of you.

I know there's been a lot of sadness,

and there's been more hard times than good,

but you've both endured the storms of life,

you've survived where many others never would.

And I just wanted to say Happy 60th Anniversary,

I guess that's really what these words are for,

here's to you, Nana and Granddad, you're wonderful,

and here's to at least another sixty more!

Copyright Allen Jesson :) 2004

www.agiftofpoetry.com

"Dear Allen

Just wanted to say thank you it is fantastic they are going to love it, a few people I have given it to have cried and thought it was so very special so I dare say they too will be in contact with you.

I am very pleased with the final draft and was wondering if you could title it "Forever Yours" as this is something that I have always addressed to them on my letters. And I hope you got the email saying that I would love it done in the gold card. Look forward to hearing from you soon

Till then take care and thank you, Regards Lisa Perry"

and a few months later in August 2004, I received this: