What is your name : Robyn Magee

Who do you want the poem written for: Pat & Paul Magee - My parents

Why do you want the poem written: To let them know how thankful I am to have them and how much I appreciate everything they have done for me. I also want it to be a thank you from Joe and I for giving us the means to have our dream wedding. I am getting married in 5 weeks to Joe LaGuardia, a wonderful man whom they also love very much. He proposed this Christmas Eve, in front of them, when they were here visiting for the holiday. We have been together for over 4 years and they are very excited to have him as a part of the family. My parents sat us down before they left and gave us a lump sum of money for the wedding, to do whatever we chose. We could have a large wedding and spend the entire amount, a small wedding and use the money to pay of debt etc. (their recommendation because it makes the most sense). We chose to do a destination wedding just the two of us (we wanted them to go with us but they are moving from MA to Florida to retire and the distance is so far for them, so they said just go and they will be there for the party we are having in October to celebrate with the extended family & friends). So we will exchange vows in Bora Bora (our dream) just the two of us, and they will be there in spirit. I really didn't want to do a traditional wedding - Joe and I have a house already and are established here so we don't need anything and we already feel married, so instead of spending all that $$ on one night we are spending 10 days in paradise and having a great "beach" themed party after. The one thing that will be difficult is that they won't be there. They are very much realists and are very down to earth, so I don't think they are upset we aren't doing the traditional thing. They say they are not, but I worry that they would have liked to be there but just can't go. I struggle that my dad won't get to walk me down the aisle and my mom won't get to see her only daughter get married, but really don't want to do the traditional thing. In a perfect world we would have plenty of money and they could go to Bora Bora too and walk me down the beach. It is important to me that they know they are very much wanted there, but I don't want to make them feel bad about not going because it is too much $$ and too far for them to go.

What are the key messages you would like to send: Here is a little bit about my parents and my family.There are five of us, my parents, my two older brothers (Matt, 4 years older than me and Mike, 3 years older) and myself. I am the youngest, only girl. Because of this my mother and I are VERY close. She is my very best friend. My father and I also very close. I have an unbelievable amount of respect and love for him. He is such an honest, hardworking, loyal person. He ALWAYS makes the right decision. He worked for the same company for over 30 years (Raytheon). He was never late, never took a sick day, never complained. I know he didn't like what he did very much, but it was a good job and it allowed him to give his family everything they needed and he could retire at around 60 .. so he did what he supposed to do. He always does the right thing. He is a talker too, always telling funny stories about when he was young. My dad is always working, cleaning, mowing, etc. I think it is what he just likes to do. I think in the 20 years I lived at the house we made 2 fires during the winter, nonetheless every winter he moves the entire woodpile from the backyard all the way to the house, just in case. One thing I can't stress enough is that he is very warm and loving - and funny!
My mom is a little less conservative. Just as hard working, but she is a little more mischievious, which I LOVE about her. She is very funny and everyone always loves her, she always does things to make people laugh. She was home with us when we were little, so she did alot of the parenting. I remember always hearing, "Just wait till your father gets home". She did a FANTASTIC job with us. She always made us feel loved, taught us right from wrong, encouraged us, they both did. She always had dinner on the table at 5:30. She is always helping people and is very empathetic. People always come to her for advice and she always helps - even when it isn't always convenient (she kind of got sucked into alot of things this way, my dad would always tell her to say no, but she couldn't - I get that from her)I like to think I take after her alot, I am a pretty good mix of them both. My parents always planned everything out so that we were always where we needed to be in life. They set enough money aside for each of us to go to college, they saved the money for the wedding and worked it out so that the timing was in line for retirement, we had bonds that would be full value when we were 16 to help get a used car to get us to work - but they always made sure we understood the value of money and we always worked for things. Every dollar had it's place so that everything could happen the way it was supposed to. We were very much middle class - they never really had anything just for themselves, we never wanted for ANYTHING, but never had extras. They created such a stable, warm home for us. I hope Joe and I can create that when we have children. We never saw them fight, ever. They love each other very much, but not too much of the mushy stuff. She calls him her buddy, her pal. I have known people my whole life who had such an unstable childhood .. I feel so appreciative that I grew up the way I did but fully understand that it took hard work and sacrifice on their part to creat that for us. I went to college in AZ and met Joe here and ended up staying here. I miss them so much. Joe and I have a house here now and will probably start a family in the next year or two. They retired just this last year. We wanted them to retire out here, but they chose Florida. They have to be by the water. They are in the process of selling the house in MA and getting one built in FL .. which is why they can't go to Bora Bora. They are finally at a point in their life where they are doing things for them. My dad always wanted a boat .. I hope they get one.

Do you have any funny, sad, happy, embarrassing or otherwise memorable moments that you would like to share: Something funny that I always used to say to my dad when I was very little was .."say sure dad". I would end every question with, "say sure dad .. we still laugh about it. Will you read me a book, say sure dad. We were also never allowed to touch the thermostat, ever.They are very much beach people, they LOVE the beach and go all the time.My mom and I are always laughing - kind of like sisters and we get in trouble by my dad, but we just think its funny.We can laugh about it now but out of the three of us kids crashed every car they ever had, some more than once(good thing they almost always bought used).

Do you have any other comments or thoughts: I just really want to say thank you to them ... and convey to them how great they are and how blessed I am to have them. My 2 older brothers are so very appreciative as well.

What style of poem would you prefer (happy, sad, romantic etc.): Happy .. but very, very heartfelt

Please choose which package you would prefer :Economy

Would you like a copy of the handwritten drafts:No

Do you have any last comments or thoughts: I want to send this to them so they have it while we are away on our "weddingmoon" - kind of in place of them being there.

Say Sure Dad

Hello, my wonderful parents, these words are just for you, because we're very proud of who you are, and yes, you've made our dreams come true. And we just wanted to say "thank you", but in truth, we didn't know where to start, so we thought we'd share a few feelings, and give you some words, straight from the heart. Firstly, we'd like to begin by looking skywards, and thanking those in the heavens above, because we know we've been blessed to have shared you, we know that we've been blessed with your love. And we're so glad that you were there on Christmas Eve, because that's when Joe decided to do his proposing, and it also makes us both so very happy, because, you approve of the lifelong partner that I've chosen. And we both really wanted to say "thank you", we'd like to thank you for everything you've ever done, because your love has been our light, our inspiration, in every way, you've been like our morning sun. And your generosity simply knows no bounds, and there's many an unhappy soul that you could teach, but you've certainly made our every dream come true, because we'll be getting married on Bora Bora beach. Actually, it makes us sad that you won't be there, Mom, we won't get to see your wedding day smile, and Dad, you know what every little girl dreams of, it's the day when her father walks her up that aisle. But you've always been very practical people, honest, loyal, trustworthy and down to Earth, and you know just how much one night can cost, so thank you, we know what your love is really worth. So, we know you'll be there for the October party, so please don't feel bad about not sharing our special day, because believe me, you'll be there in sprit, and that one line leaves so much to say: Because Mom, we've always been so very close, in all honesty, you are my very best friend, and I know I'll love you beyond forever, long after these earthbound journeys have their end. And Dad, I love you, we are also so very, very close, and for you, I have an enormous amount of respect, you're so honest, hardworking and loyal, you ALWAYS get it right (never a cause for regret). You worked for the same company for 30 years, and never once, did I ever hear you complain, and even though we lit the fire twice in 20 years, you kept on moving that wood pile, again and again. You're always working, cleaning, mowing, talking, and there's many a funny story that you can tell, actually, you're very warm, loving and funny, and that's why you and mom get on so well. Because mom is just a little less conservative, just as hard working, but likes to laugh along, in fact, she's quite mischievous (which I love), but she certainly taught us right from wrong. "Wait until your father gets home", well, that was something often said, but Mom, you did a fantastic job with us, from breakfast until it was time for bed. And you're both such wonderful people, we've never really said just how wonderful you are, but if our love for you were a distance, then it would be further than the furthest star. And the three kids would also like to say "sorry", we're sorry for crashing every car you ever had, but we know that we'll always have your love, but I'll ask the question anyway (say sure Dad).

Copyright www.agiftofpoetry.co.uk 2008

Allen Jesson

Comments:

The poem is beautiful, as are all of your poems.