Health, Jobs and New Horizons

Wow, what a weekend! Well, I guess it started two weeks ago.  So, what a month!!

As we get older our friends and family gets older, too.  For the most part, and if we are lucky.  My family is no different.  News hit us the last few weeks that some family members are facing terrible medical illnesses and setbacks.  Such is life, I guess.  Doesn't make it any easier.  Makes you listen to all the healthy living advice that seems so prevalent these days.  Life is a precious gift; one worth fighting for.  And so, we do.  My family is fighting right now. 

Last week, for instance, my 85 year old dad, had some labwork done.  The very next day he was in the emergency room and spent the entire weekend in the hospital.  Luckily, this past week my two sisters and I had reinforcements from out of town as one of my other sisters was in town visiting.  Oh well.  Such is life, I guess.  We managed and I hope they managed to have some fun while they were on vacation.   Dad is home, back to his routine and doing as well as can be expected. 

And again, what a month.  Last Thursday my boss pulls me into a conference room and tells me that,
"The corporate office has decided to make a change. Sorry Dave. Today is your last day. Clean out your desk and go."  Ten minutes later I was unceremoniously walked to the door.  "Give me your badge". Ha Ha. Oh well, better things are a-coming.  Good riddance to a management who won't listen. 

And so, this week I start afresh.  New beginnings.  I see great prospects on the horizon.  So many  friends have come forward with offers of help and advice.  It sure warms your heart.  Such is life.  We are what we build and nurture.  I have many friends.  I am grateful for that.  And because of that my future is brighter than it was even a week ago. 

My Daughter

My daughter recently applied for her dream job.  She got it and now, this week she is moving.  

She texted me today that she was in Redding, Ca.  Getting farther away.  Soon, she will cross the state line.  Little milestones of growing up, and away.  Bittersweet for me.  But I am so happy for her.  

My daughter, Kate,

Has left the state,

And Woe-be-gone

She’s gone to Oregon.

The absence is the hardest part

But she’s gonna make a brand new start.  

Sometimes I just think in rhymes.  Can't help it.  Good luck, Kate.  

Love, 
Dad.

A Poem, Unfinished, Revisited

This was a poem I posted in 2008.  I am going to re-post it here today because I have always liked it but I cannot seem to shake the idea that it might be unfinished.  I always feel like I need to tweak it, change it or try to make it better.  I really don't know if it is finished.

"Disposable Children

He came to us the newly adopted laughing boy,
A joy to the kids and babies at our daycare.
The laughing boy went home to loving arms at end of day.
A mama’s joy.

As days went by the laughing slowed.
A little boy misses his baby brother, another foster child,
Another home.
Mama’s joy unites them at last.
The two adopted laughing boys.

The laughing boys played hard.
Their love was shared.
But boys come home at night, to a quiet house,
And loudly played and played…

And mama’s joy turned angry. Quiet time is what she craved.
Parent’s get tired from work.
Stresses build and
Become unbearable.
Call the agency, contracts broken
We can’t handle this, we can’t handle two, loud, noisy boys.

The agency arrives and tells the boys.
Little boys go where they are told
They never make friends,
    they are bought and sold
Passed around and loved
    from home to home,
To grow into the realm
    of the crowded and alone.

August 29, 2006"
C. 2006 David Normand

Perhaps you, my friends and readers, can tell me what you think of it.  I haven't been to a very good poet's workshop in a while and need some feedback.  I gave this to one teacher at the end of the class and asked him for his comments but heard nothing.

That is one of the reasons I stopped going to workshops.  I took enough of them.  I think I learned some stuff.  I guess now I just  need to put that knowledge to work.  I need to sit at my desk and write.  I don't know if I suffer from writer's block.  I have ideas, I know how to write.  I just lack motivation.  I am a lazy writer.

Wow.  There.  I said it.  Amazing how the  mind works.  As soon as I typed that phrase, "I am a lazy writer", my mind went blank.  I stopped writing, typing for about 30 seconds.  I had no place to go.  I almost went to bed.  Maybe I should type something different, like, "I am a prolific writer", and see if I can trick my mind into actually finishing something?  You know what?  I feel the positive motivation.  Amazing.  Wow. This changes everything.  But not tonight.  I must sleep on it.  Decide in the morning if I have the motivation to write.

Good night,
D.