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"