Journeys - A poem
from a proud Dad to his daughter on her 8th birthday.
Full Name: David
Who do you want the poem written for?: My
beloved daughter Anna Louise
Why do you want the poem written ?: It's for
her 8th birthday on April 13.
She is very intelligent, reads at high school level and understands
language and nuance of words. It doesn't have to be written as though it is
for an 8 year old.
Key Messages: 1. Profound love this father
has for his daughter.
2. Camaraderie she and I have and the fun things we do together.
3. Hope for continued closeness as she reaches teenage and young adulthood.
Memorable Moments: Our family loves to
travel. Anna Louise went with us on a Caribbean cruise when she was barely
one year old. She was a real hit everywhere we went. She has been with us
on several cruises and separate trips to Colorado, Montana, Arizona,
California, Washington DC, New York, Banf,BC, Jasper BC, Ontario Canada,
etc, etc.
When Anna Louise was about two we were visiting my wife's parents in Phoenix
and we had gone to church for Easter Sunday and we were in the front row.
The pastor was giving his sermon and at one point, the pastor said in a loud
voice, "Allelulia". It was quiet for a few seconds and Anna Louise looked
up from her coloring and said in an equally loud voice, "Ah Day Doo Dah".
The whole church laughed and laughed and the pastor started to encourage
her.
She doesn't remember most of her trips. However, we were in New York a
couple of months before the World Trade Center buildings collapsed, so she
definitely remembers Ney York.
Anna Louise loves acting, dancing and singing. She is in choir at school
and in our church. When she sings to me in the car, I have to applaud and
say, "Encore, Encore", if I like the song she has sung.
Anna Louise has been in several Community Theater productions that have run
for about two months each. She was in "The King and I" and "A Christmas
Carol". It was very grueling for a 7 year old to handle 2 months of
rehearsal and 2 months of shows, 4-5 times per week. She stuck with it and
did a great job.
We have gone to lots of plays together both locally and in New York. We
saw CATS in Minneapolis about two years ago. She and I both love CATS and
for a while, she could sing almost all of the songs in CATS. We have seen
"Phantom of the Opera" in New York and "Lion King" both in Minneapolis and
New York.
We have a cabin in Northern Wisconsin on Lower McKenzie Lake. Anna Louise
loves it up there. We spend lots of summer time swimming in the lake or
fishing on an old wooden bench at the end of our dock. A few years ago, I
built a tree house next to the cabin. When the weather is nice, we
sometimes have sleepovers in the tree house.
This winter, Anna Louise and I have been spending most weekends up at the
cabin. The rest of the family tends to stay home because it is, "too quiet,
too cold or too much snow". Anna Louise and I will rent a movie and have
popcorn or go over to a nearby clubhouse (Voyager Village) and have a nice
dinner in the "fancy" restaurant and then go swimming in their very large
pool. This winter has been a good bonding experience for the two of us.
Other Comments: I have 4 children. 3
boys and 1 girl (Anna Louise). The boys are 35, 33 and 16 years old. I
also have 4 brothers. I have been around boys/men all of my life. As a
result, girls a somewhat of a mystery to me. She is very intelligent and
witty. She wants to talk about every detail of everything she thinks
about. Boys just don't do that.
Anna Louise was somewhat of a "miracle child". My wife and I had been
trying to have another child for eight years, right after our third son was
born. For a number of fertility related reasons, it wasn't working. We had
all but given up, when she was conceived while we were on a week long
houseboat trip in Ontario.
When Anna Louise was born, I was already 46 years old. Now I am almost 54.
As I get older, it's fun to watch the world through her eyes and her
experiences. What are a few years between companions??
Anna Louise was named after my father's mother, Anna (long gone). And my
mother, Louise ( still alive, just turned 80 and living in Florida with my
father). My grandfather sometimes called my grandmother, "Johnny" as a term
of endearment. I sometimes call Anna Louise, "Johnny" and she always says,
"that's a boys name". But she likes it anyway. I also call her "princess"
or "baby doll". She likes the nicknames, but she is also very proud of her
name, Anna Louise.
Style: Happy,
touching
Package Type: Standard
Journeys
You get to a stage in life,
when you think your creation is
done,
a time then for contemplation,
a time then to admire your autumn
sun.
And mom and I had resigned
ourselves,
to the fact that there'd be just
three,
but some things are simply
destined,
some great things are meant to be.
And so it was with you, my Anna
Louise,
a blessing from God above,
and I just want to send you good
wishes on your birthday,
but most of all, I want to send you
my love.
Because you've been an inspiration
to me,
a fire to keep out that autumnal
chill,
and I love you so very much,
and I know that I always will.
I have four brothers and three
boys,
so girls have always been a
mystery,
but you're so intelligent, witty
and talkative,
you've unlocked those sealed doors
for me.
And you're somewhat of a miracle,
you came along when we'd lost all
hope,
and maybe I'm a little old to be
your Dad,
but don't you worry none - we'll
cope !
Because it took billions of years
for this Universe to form,
so what's a couple between two with
so much to explore?
Just know that I love you now,
and that I'll always being saying
"Encore" !
Anna Louise is such a wonderful
name,
Many in our line share one or the
other.
Your great grandmother was Anna
(Johnny of course)
and Louise who is my beloved
mother.
You've traveled the America's with
me,
from Canada to the tragic Twin
Towers,
we've created many a magical moment
together,
they truly have been such precious
hours.
We like to go to church together,
say our prayers and sing Allelu-lah
and if you're really, really quiet,
you might just hear: "Ah Day Doo
Dah" !
I think you're destined for the
stage,
as you love to act, sing and dance,
and (like a spring flower) you
burst into chorus,
given even half a chance.
We love our cabin at the old
McKenzie,
a place where we create our rhyme,
swimming or fishing from the old
wooden bench,
simply a wonderful and magical
time.
We've spent our summers there,
and now this winter too,
movies, popcorn, dinner in the
"fancy" restaurant,
simply more precious moments spent
with you.
And I'm looking forward to our
travels,
and the journeys that we haven't
yet had,
just know that I'm very proud of
you.
Love always and Happy Birthday –
Love, your Dad.
Copyright
Allen Jesson :) 2002
www.agiftofpoetry.com
David kindly replied:
"No objections to publishing the story
and poem on your website. But,
don't use my last name. Paper preference = Single Rose. Don't autograph, and
I would like to see the original handwritten draft. (I tried to re-write one
stanza and it took me three sheets of paper).
You did a wonderful job capturing what I was looking for. I can't tell
you how pleased I am with the first draft."
And one week later:
"Allen, I received the hardcopy of our
poem "Journeys" in the post today. It's
beautiful!! Thanks again for the marvelous job capturing what I was
looking for. David"