A Family Album

in RhymeBy Cotter Barry

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2011 Cotter Barry
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4520-0636-9

Contents

Author's Foreword.......................................viiAbout the Author........................................ixI. Family...............................................1II. Love................................................21III. Children...........................................40IV. Folks...............................................64V. Photos...............................................82VI. This About That.....................................96VII. From The Land Of The Forgotten.....................114VIII. The Golden Years..................................130IX. Farewell............................................148

Chapter One

Family

Around the kitchen tables and within your family circles, the living substance of our nation is born, nourished and spread about our great country.

When I visit the place where I was born, I think of the care and love within my family circle and all the many experiences that had so much to do in making me who I am.

My earliest book was written within the hearts of my mother and father. No school, private club or social association has ever been able to furnish the warmth and understanding that my family gave to me.

The vital roots that nourished all that is good and worthwhile, in this world of ours, are exemplified in the family unit. Bitterness, hatred and jealousy have no place in a family.

The members of my original family remained together for a period all too brief. Separated from it my thoughts forever return. Then, when I took the plunge, I carried the world of my parents into the foundation of my new family circle. Of these I give to you ...

          A LOVING WIFE


    We wish you
    good health
    joy
    and special people
    in your life.

    We wish you
    many wonderful
    blessing
    and the crowning
    of a loving wife.


          DAD'S DAY OFF

    Dad planned to clean the garage today
      and store all the winter things away.

    But a little boy called out a plea.
      Hey Dad, come play ball with me.

    Dad put aside the work he planned to do
      and played with me till the day was through.

    At bed time, I thanked him for playing ball
      and told him, he's the greatest dad of all.

    He smiled and gave me a hug and a kiss
      then told me, no day will be as happy as this.


           OUR OLD HOUSE

    Our old house was not a castle,
      but I sure was happy living there.

    Our old house gave many blessings
      and had so much love to share.


           THANKS MOM

    Thanks mom for teaching me the difference between right and wrong
    and helping me to grow up safe and strong.

    For not caring how long the road,
    how tired you were, or how big the load.

    Thanks for the hugs that eased my fears
    and the kisses that took away my tears.

    For helping me to settle down, start life's climb
    by taking it one step-at-a-time.

    For teaching me to hold my head up high
    and hold fast to dreams, so they don't die.

    For darning socks, turning collars and my first tie.
    For baking all those cookies and my favorite huckleberry pie.

    But for most of all, thank you for taking care of your little boy
    and filling my heart full of love and joy.


          MATER

    Mater told me
    waste not want not,
    so I eat everything
    she puts in my pot.

    Mater punishes me
    when I am bad.
    Gives lots of hugs and kisses
    when I am sad.

    It's just mind over matter
    so they say,
    so pay attention to Mater
    then go out and play.

    I must say good-bye now
    It's time to go
    Not that I want, but
    because Mater said so.


          FATHER'S DAY

    He turned me to the sunshine
      and encouraged me to dream,
    Fostering and nurturing
      the seeds of self-esteem.

    And when the winds and storms came,
      he protected me just enough.
    Yet, not too much, for he knew someday
      I had to stand up and be tough.

    His constant good examples always
      taught me right from wrong
    Placing markers for my pathway
      that will last a lifetime long.

    I am my father's son
      I am his legacy.
    I hope today he feels his love
      reflecting back from me.


          A LETTER TO DAD

    There are many things
    I like to tell you, face to face.
    It's too late now for
    I failed to find the time and place.

    So in this special letter,
    I'll try to express, at least in part,
    The feelings that your passing
    have left within my heart.

    The memories of childhood days
    and all that you have done,
    To make our home a happy place
    and growing up so much fun!

    The memories of those walks we took,
    the golf games we played.
    Those confidential chats we had
    while resting in the shade.

    Thanks Dad for making my world a better place
    and through the coming years,
    I'll keep these memories of you
    as cherished souvenirs.


          SISTER

    Because we were siblings and grew up together
      we shared certain bits of information.
    That no one else on the planet knew
      that gave us a unique connection.

    Like the time we hid behind the house
      to smoke our first cigarette.
    And those old family jokes
      that outsiders would never get.

    Trading mom's lunch with kids
      sitting in the back of the bus.
    Those were the kinds of things
      that help make us, us.

    Somewhere along the way, we became
      pretty good friends, you and me.
    And in my opinion, that's just about
      as good as being family can be.


          A WIFE

    A wife,
    I do profess
    if you're so blessed,
    is nothing less
    than God's remedy
    for loneliness.


           MY MATE

    My guiding light,
      be that as it may,
    understands what
      I did not say.

    The one still there when
      everyone else is gone
    the one and only
      I fall back on.

    Who was there for me
      when I stumbled and fell
    with encouragement and comfort
      that all is well.

    Forgiving when all others
      are forsaking
    never faltering even though
      heart is breaking.


           A BLESSING

    May you feel whatever
      the air may bring.
    Go places, take chances
      and have a fling.

    Climb mountains, watch sunsets,
      hear birds sing.
    Ride merry-go-rounds, go barefoot
      smell flowers in Spring.

    So on this first day
      as husband and wife
    We wish you happiness
      the rest of your life.


          SON

    You were unique right from the start.
    At first sighting, you stole our heart.

    Your zest for life has taken us far.
    We asked for crumbs and got caviar.

    No copies, no carbon, no clone
    A uniqueness that's yours alone.

    Incomparable among all on earth
    With you we got our money's worth.


           DAD TO DAD

    Son, today you have someone to laugh yourself silly with,
      and to catch lightning bugs,
    To giggle under the covers, receive butterfly kisses
      and Velcro hugs.

    You now have a partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites,
      building sand castles and dancing in the pouring rain.
    You'll be a hero for coaxing a wad of gum out of her hair,
      removing a splinter and kissing away the pain.

    A hero for coaching her team that never wins
      yet always get treated to ice cream.
    For carving pumpkins, playing hide-and-seek
      believing in magic and sharing her hope and her dream.

    You'll now have an excuse to read of Piglet and Pooh
      watch Saturday morning cartoons and go to Disney Land.
    To witness the endless wonders over rocks, ants and clouds
      and the joy of warm cookies and the holding of a small hand.

    You now have a front row seat to history in the making;
      the first step, the first word and the first time behind the wheel.
    Not to mention the education in human sexuality with
      the first bra and the first date ... that will be a big deal.

    For now, frame rainbows, hearts, flowers and collect
      spray pained noodle art and hand prints set in clay.
    You'll get more love than your heart can hold
      and a glimpse of God everyday.


           EVE, ACCORDING TO ADAM

    When God made the world
      with its mountains and seas,
    Its rivers and valleys
      and flowers and trees.

    He paused for a moment,
      after doing so much,
    Then gently added
      one last loving touch.

    He made my Eve
      with her warm cheerful way
    To add special beauty
      and joy to my every day.

    He made her thoughtful,
      trusting and giving.
    He made her gentle and kind
      with a great love for living.

    He knew that some day
      a small part of Heaven above.
    Would always be found
      in my Eve's love.


          NANA

    I like to walk with Nana
      her steps are short like mine.

    She never tells me to hurry up
      she always takes her time

    We always stoop and look around
      for things to see.

    I'm so glad God made Nana
      unrushed and young like me.


          GRANDPA

    Mom didn't think I knew
      that grandpa likes to have a chew.
    But juice on his shoe
      was always the first clue.

    Mom didn't think I knew
      that grandpa made home-brew.
    But getting a little dipsy-doo
      was a sure sign of Kickapoo.

    Mom didn't know;
      when he put me to bed
    Grandpa always said,
      "I'll be chewing you"
    then patted me on the head.


           MANY HATS

    Many hats have been worn throughout the years;
      Each with its own purpose, bringing joy and/or tears.

    There were chauffeurs and teachers, providers, enforcers;
      Psychologists, counselors, listeners, and supporters.

    You've been coaches and spectators, sometimes referees;
      You've help mend broken hearts, and even scraped knees.

    Each challenge accepted, no question asked.
      Not knowing the basis, of future tasks.

    But two hats above all, you wear with such pride.
      "Mother" and "Father", with which you guide

    And teach us the joy of unconditional love,
      that can only be surpassed by almighty above.

    So thank you once more, for all that you do.
      But one more favor to ask, of both of you.

    Two more hats to try on if it isn't a bother.
      Those being Grandmother, and of course, Grandfather!

    W.C. Barry


           DOG TALK

    Wags his tail when he is glad.
      Whimpers when he is sad.

    Howls at the moon just like a wolf.
      To get attention, goes "woof".

    To wake me from my nap,
      my face he will lap.

    He's always talking to me
      even when he's scratching a flea.

Chapter Two

Love

Love is both too easy to say and too hard to say. It can mean almost nothing to some and absolutely everything to most.

She loves her sister, he loves his car. She loves her husband, he loves his buddies, "love ya man". She loves her home, he loves the natural world around him. She loves her cat. He loves his dog. She loves her new shoes. He loves food.

Love never looks or acts the same. It is as different as the people who feel it. It is as different as you and I are different, yet it is there infusing all of life. Just one small world, encompassing everything. Love is the only sane and satisfying answer to our existence.

Sometimes love grows slowly unfolding over years. Sometimes it arrives out of the blue, full blown, complete and satisfying right from the get-go. Oh yes, it was love at first sight. For the lucky ones, it will stay that way forever.

Love is friendship, marriage and parenthood. Yet too many of us numb ourselves to the emotion of our daily existence. Many of us return a business call before the call from an old friend. We make sure we have eye contact when shaking the hand of a client, but on a day- to- day basis, barely look at our spouse. We take the time and listen to the needs of our coworkers over lunch and later that evening tune into the TV rather than our own children.

I'm certainly not an expert on this subject, however, BG and I just celebrated our 44th year as husband and wife, which in Hollywood years is about 120. You would think somewhere in between our first year and our forty fourth, I must have learned a few things. Perhaps, I'll let you be the judge.

          FIRST SIGHT

    She entered the room
      with a kindly air
    and swept back from her neck,
      her tumbling hair.

    When they saw her
      they broke out in song.
    I'm delighted to say
      the naysayers were wrong.


          MY SWAN

    Love is
      romance, passion,
      desire and tenderness.

    Love is
  honesty, candor,
  patience and gentleness.

    Love is
      laxity, tolerance,
      devotion and forgiveness.

    Love is
      giving, yielding,
      generosity and kindness.

    Love is
      laughter, kisses,
      hugs and happiness.

    Love is my swan
      of whom I've been blessed.


          OLIVE

    My new girlfriend
      is a dream come true

    I like the way she wears
      her hair, and that curlicue.

    She dresses like she just came
      from Saks Fifth Avenue.

    And so smart, she's at the top
      of her class at Purdue.

    Last night, she gave to me
      a big fat smackeroo.

    Tonight, I'm going to tell her
      "olive you".


           LOVE BEARS

    I know Bears are very important
      for the Bible tells me so.
    When I read the scripture
      I could tell from the after glow.

    So pass it on to your offsprings,
      Hopes all things.
    Believe in the Holly Scripture
      Love bears all things.


          INSOMNIA

    Insomnia is a contagious disease
      often transmitted by one's mate.
    Honey, are you awake? I just can't
      sleep and it is getting late.

    I got to address invitations, order
      the food and floral arranging need designed.
    The reason you can't sleep is because
      you have too much on your mind.

    The solution is easy.
      I'll tell you what I'll do.
    I'll finish the invitations, order food
      and flowers, just for you.

    As I laid there wondering
      how the promises I'm going to keep.
    I looked over at my partner
      and found her sound asleep.

    Why did I ever get myself
      in such a bind?
    For now I can't sleep because
      I got too much on my mind.


           MY LOVE

    You are the wish
      I made upon a star

    You are the moonbeam
      I carried home in a jar.

    You are the one
      I always go to.

    Because of you
      my dreams came true.


          SLEEP

    If you want to be
      at your very best
    It's important you get
      a good night's rest.

    If you want to have
      a sleep so sweet
    Check yourself into
      a hotel suite.

    If you want to be able
      to pull one's own weight
    Your body and mind
      needs to recuperate.

    If you want to keep
      your head on straight
    Sleep only in a bed
      shared by your soul mate.


         HEARTS AFIRE

    Joy is the sound of words
      when the right one speaks them

    Delight is the sound of songs
      when the right singer sings them.

    Beauty awakes within
      when the sunset embers

    Love lingers and sings
      and the swan remembers


           A LONG TIME AGO

    There was this little school
      on the side of a hill
    And a pretty little girl
      that I remember still


        MUSIC OF THE SOUL

    A certain song
      brings an onslaught,
    touching feelings
      words can not.

    Down memory lane
      you take a stroll
    to find the tie
      which bounds one's soul.


          GONE

    I viewed it with sadness
      but why should I sigh

    She went off and married
      a real nice guy


          IT MUST BE LOVE

    If you feel it within
      it's time to give in.

    if you hear it inside
      it's cupid by a landslide.

    If you're glassy-eyed
      here comes the bride.

    If she's a treasure trove
      it must be love.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from A Family Albumby Cotter Barry Copyright © 2011 by Cotter Barry. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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