All occasions are an occasion to write a poem—Christmas presents, graduation presents and even a wedding gift for my husband.
I wrote the following poem for my great nephew in 2019 when I couldn’t attend his graduation because I was sick. It comes to mind today because I just returned from Columbus, Georgia, where I attended his graduation from Army boot camp. Quite an occasion! As I watched him these past few days with his friends, I remembered the theme of this poem and needed to share it.
An Occasion Then
The Man I Choose to Be
May 24, 2019
Everyone comes to cross roads
In life
Those defining moments
Last night was one for you!
High school graduation!
Yes, a big and memorable one!
You’ve made the choice over
The last twelve years
To attend
To be present
To do the work
And last night you received the reward!
Family and friends surrounded you
To cheer
To shed a tear or two
To honor
You!
The last twelve years defined you.
I’ve seen your effect on people.
After ball games, swarmed
By admiring friends, old and young.
A smile graced your lips
Even if you lost.
Deep down inside a winner
No matter what!
The commitment to people
You have is admirable,
And people love you for it!
Your life hasn’t been easy.
For several years, I seldom saw you.
Your life unfolded
With jagged edges.
Then your move to Floydada
Truly a gift from God; we reconnected.
I treasure each moment we have spent together
On the ranch
Looking for mountain lions
At the house
Playing a rousing game of Pip
Those memories will last a lifetime.
Now the future looms ahead
Large and unimaginable!
Where to go? What to do?
Today and tomorrow,
You choose the man
You want to be!
It won’t come easily.
Temptations may lure you
To veer off course.
Your future is connected to your past.
Don’t let feelings rule your life.
Feelings come and go.
But they don’t have to control you.
Be hypervigilant with one especially –
Anger
Anger is just a feeling,
Like so many others,
Yet powerful and seductive.
Deal with it, face it,
Get it out
However you can to heal.
You have a guide,
A friend,
A man to emulate,
Jesus
And I know you know him personally.
I know you.
You’ll choose to be the man
God created you to be!
I remember a gentle loving
Young man who cared
For Aunt Willie in Branson
One Christmas!
She always asked about you!
A loving man in the makings!
Yes, you will face a crossroads or two ahead.
Which way?
Right or
Left?
My suggestion—
Always choose you and God!
An Occasion Now
As I watched my great nephew after the Blue ceremony on Thursday, this poem came to mind because once again he has chosen well! Other young men flocked to him—either a light touch on the shoulder acknowledging their connection or a full-fledged frontal attack of a bear hug! Once again, he connected deeply with his peers. During bootcamp, they gave him a leadership role, so he continues to embrace “the man he chooses to be” in a positive vein. I also saw two young men drive a distance to be with him on this momentous occasion who had been his roommate before enlisting! Deep connections! My poem identifies his characteristics that draw people to him.
Poetry record specific occasions, special times, and I didn’t have another one in me on this recuperation-from-a-travel day that could say any better what I said a short four years ago. I love the spirit of this poem and how it points to a man to emulate—Jesus! And that it’s my choice to become the man or woman God created me to be! I can’t blame circumstances or events for the way I turned out—the power lives in my choice!
Finally
Any occasion whispers to me to write a poem to commemorate it. As I ponder images and words, the message usually surprises me! That’s the joy of writing, especially poetry!
How do you commemorate special occasions in your life? Photos? Yes, I take lots of photos, too! Poems? Narratives? Think about sharing them with your loved ones as a special gift—the gift of words!
News, News, News!
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Grab a cup of coffee, a pen and look at a chapter in my newest book!
~For me, it’s Christmas all year long! Here’s a variety of Christmas greetings from Flippo & Neeca, featuring his song, “When It’s Christmas Time in Texas”: https://youtu.be/mpJCUGffU3A
Take Flippo with you on your phone and grab an apple to munch on!
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Larada, I thought I read the poem before but it was new to me. Wonderful loving and as you said, capturing his person inside the poem. Love your words. thanks for sharing.
Thanks Sherrie,
I appreciate your response. He’s a special young man.