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Open Poetry #20
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Happy Birthday, Dad
| Open Poetry #20 |
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Happy Birthday, Dad |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart 
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 Happy Birthday, Dad getting you to sit still for Mom’s present of you, was pulling proverbial chicken’s teeth although you once showed me a chicken that had some Still! What is it I remember about you, that goes past your grin and laughing eyes, the stories you wouldn’t tell, because no one should feel sorry for you in your lifetime. I remember age two, watching you shave and “get sharp” so we could visit mom in the hospital after the birth of my brother, at four you taught me that even humans can help baby robins live in a crisis, you taught early that a fair fisherman teaches how to fish for food, but a good fisherman nets humility… at eight, you were teaching me the weight of a hammer, a lesson tempered with the heavier weight of a few words, they’re like nails, they should only serve to hold your point down, for nails are expensive… You made magic with your hands, turning them to anything, and making anything turn into a present that has taken me into my future. Perhaps you were the best father to the three of us, because the father you were born to, wasn’t there for you. What I remember most, Dad, was when you said you would always be with me, your eyes looked into my soul, so that I knew the truth of your words as they nailed down my heart. Dad, meet my Passions’ poet-friends, for you are my muse that shares me with them through your eyes, helping me amuse them now and then, for I know you are the reason I find ways to write of silly things, and not-so-silly things, where I have left behind tenderprints of you, and our life, and why kids should have a dad like you. Happy Birthday, Dad. I love you. Robert H. Rilling June 2, 1923 – September 4, 1988 |
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| © Copyright 2002 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved | |||
Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
If I know you, in all of your feelings.. and those tender thoughts, the memories.. You had to wipe your tears...a few times as you write this...even while you were smiling...just as he does...saying Hi to all of us... Thanx KJ...Thanx for sharing your Dad with me, with all of us... |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Karilea, what a beautiful birthday tribute. I'll be honest and tell you that several times I had to wipe my eyes as I read this...also remembering my own father. I know he is watching you and is so very very proud of you...and your craft. A tender walk through life with your dad. What wonderful 'knowing' eyes he had. ~Hugs~ *Smiling here, understanding the Gemini Rising in you, seeing as your father was one also* [This message has been edited by Enchantress (06-02-2002 12:06 PM).] |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Sunshine, A wonderful write, I did so enjoy.  |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
How nice to meet you, kind Sir... Thank you for sharing your Sunshiny daughter with us. She does you proud!!   |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Karilea What a wonderful smile he has..and yes his eyes, they twinkle with knowing. This was a wonderful tribute! So glad to meet your dad! |
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Logan Senior Member
since 2001-05-28
Posts 1641Arkansas |
Ahhh, Sissie, with a very gentle smile. What a lovely write. I have no doubts that all of us here would wish we have lived our lives so that one of our children could feel like this about us..Well done..and you know? He did good...very good indeed... |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
I seem to remember this beautiful poem from before...is it revised or just repeated? What a nice picture Karilea......Marvelous reflections of your time together. It's been a while now but he sure is alive in your words.......I know he's proud! |
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Aimster Member Elite
since 2000-02-19
Posts 4297Charlotte, NC |
K, this is so touching and beautiful, a wonderful and uplifting tribute to your father. I am sure he is looking down from above with such a huge smile on his face. this also touched me because it made me think of my Mom up there as well. Just a lovely write from your heart dear friend take care. amy  "you can't stop |
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SmartChick Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081On A Journey To The Unknown |
Sounds like you had a wonderful dad, Karilea. This is a beautiful tribute for him. |
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Mistletoe Angel 
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
  (big hugggssssssss) Oh Karilea, this made me cry in joy reading this just feeling the love you have for your dad, sweet friend, I know he will always be so blessed to have such a loving daughter...you! (smiles) We all together wish a very passionate and happy birthday for your dearest dad, sweet friend, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! God Bless You, sweet friend, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Karilea, thank you for sharing! May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton "Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..." |
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Madame Chipmunk Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296Michigan |
This makes me cry with both sadness and joy, Karilea.... It sounds like he was a wonderful Father...and like mine is to me...he is also your muse. I also noticed that they passed on during the same year. My Dad died on Nov.12, 1988. ~ sad and happy, teary hugsLyra |
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catalinamoon
since 2000-06-03
Posts 9543The Shores of Alone |
Tears in my eyes,now. What a sweet tribute. I am having already a bad time with my Grams birthay coming up, and is not for 8 days. Its just the first one since she has been gone. He was a wonderful Dad, you were blessed to have him. Sandra |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
A wonderful tribute to your Dad, Sunshine! I'm sure he's very proud. That's a great picture, too, he looks like such a happy guy! Cor |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
a good fisherman nets humility.....how much that says. Just by looking at his picture, I feel I know him a bit..and, yes, he did make magic - you. The poem is beautiful, Sunshine  |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Thank you all for allowing me to share some warm memories of my Dad...it was after he passed away that I found out some of the true story of his upbringing, which could have turned him into a very bitter person. Instead, he turned all of that angry energy into being one of the kindest men people had the opportunity to meet...and I never heard a cross word from him...even though he worked with his hands, and often sported a mashed finger or bruised arm...nope, never one invective...[now, Mom was another story...LOL]... to answer Ethome, no, this was not a repeat, but merely a synopsis of some of the various stories I've had the pleasure to share with all of you... and for those of you who shared a happy tear or two with me...Bless You! |
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Tracey Member Elite
since 2001-08-29
Posts 2808where insanity meets breeding |
What a lovely man he must have been Karilea. You are so fortunate to have been brought up by such a wonderful father. He looks like a very wise and kind man, and someone who lived life to the full. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. Everything is possible in the game of life |
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blakloks Member
since 2002-06-01
Posts 60 |
thanx eva sho much for sharing this with us u had a great dad..this poem almost made me cry |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Tracey, thank you. Blakloks, he was a great man in my eyes. Thank you. |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
You made magic with your hands, turning them to anything, and making anything turn into a present that has taken me into my future =========================== for I know you are the reason I find ways to write of silly things, and not-so-silly things, where I have left behind tenderprints of you, ============================ How poetically perfect that it be his birthday and yet we get the gift of this. He is indeed the muse that keeps you striving and reaching for the perfection in your pen. You did him much justice here dear K ... thank you for sharing him with us.  Cant stand up for fallin apart |
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Interloper
since 2000-11-06
Posts 8369Deep in the heart |
A wonderfu tribute |
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Sven
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937East Lansing, MI USA |
quote: you know that I couldn't let this one go. . . with a title like this. . . and words like these. . . you know that I know these words. . . for I've spoken them myself. . . it's just one more reason why. . . well done. . . ----------------------------------------------------------- To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world. |
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Titia Geertman Member Ascendant
since 2001-05-07
Posts 5182Netherlands |
Just beautiful Sunshine, makes me think of me own dad, same sort of character. Thanks for sharing Titia A rose is a rose is a rose...I guess... |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
This beautiful tribute was read with both tears and smiles... thank you for sharing him with us, Sunshine! *S* |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Titia, Ruth, although you wrote a few years ago, I thank you now, and wish both you and my father, a very merry Christmas. |
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Earl Brinkman Senior Member
since 2010-03-03
Posts 1183Osaka, Japan |
This is a lovely tribute to your father and I think that you as the muse expressed your feelings of affection beautifully. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Earl... Your response was and is a salve to my sanity today. I just returned from giving a eulogy for my friend and writing partner, co-founder of Prairie Inkwells. To see this tribute to my father pop up on THIS day... means that my friend is still sending me messages through the likes of fellow poets. Thank you, my friend. " It matters not this distance now " Excerpt, Yesterday's Love |
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Earl Brinkman Senior Member
since 2010-03-03
Posts 1183Osaka, Japan |
I am not quite sure how to respond except that I hope you are okay. God Bless. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
I am very okay, as my Father and my Friend stand together, watching over all of us. Bless you. K |
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