What is your name : Vera Yanez-Tourigny

Who do you want the poem written for: My son's college graduation

Why do you want the poem written: To let him know how very proud we are of him. To let him know we love him very very much and also to let him know the sky is the limit. He can do and be whatever he chooses.

What are the key messages you would like to send: On February 9, 1982 I was blessed with a beautiful gift, Nicholas Stephen Yanez. Sesame Street was always an important part of our lives. Especially Cookie Monster, that was Nick's favorite. When he sang "C" is for cookie, it was all over, Nick would dance from beginning to end without missing a beat. Growing up in Minnesota always made for fun times. Nicholas spent a lot of time outdoors. The winter carnival was very memorable - Building Ice castles, sliding or making snowmen in the winter. Nicholas and his brother Eric are exactly one year and one day apart. They were not only close in age, but they formed a very close brother to brother friendship at an early age. They always shared their birthday parties and what fun parties they were. Nicholas was always extremely athletic. He was involved in baseball and basketball at a young age. He played football and basketball in High School. Nick started his academic career at Pine Pend Pre-School. He always wanted to wear a shirt and tie. He also attended pre school at Tiny Tots with his brother Eric. I was the teacher's aid. I remember the day he left for kindergarten as though it happened yesterday. I could not believe my little son was ready to embark on this momentous occasion; he was more than ready and as anxious as ever. In first Grade he was the lead in the school play, Miss Burch would cast him as the lead role of Farmer Brown. Shortly after that he also played in the Christmas Pageant as a Shepard and a year later played one of the three wise men. One of my favorite stories during this time period is when Nick was learning how to read and sounding out words for the first time. It was Christmas time and we were decorating the house. I had a train candleholder set that spelled "Noel" when it was put together. Nick put it together a little different, and It spelled "Leon" and he said, "Mom, Leon who is Leon? I laughed so hard and so did he, only he didn't know why. In third grade Nicholas had to start wearing glasses. However, he did not like that idea so he decided on his own that he would take them off on the way to school. When I went to conferences I discovered Nick never wore his glasses; that was three months later. In fourth grade he decided to leave school during lunch to go to Signal Hills (the mall). Not a smart idea and he realized it the second he got caught.
His favorite store was candyland and every time we went we knew Nick was going to order the "Red Dollars". His favorite restaurant was "Cosettas" they had the best Pizza and Mostacholli ever! In fifth grade we moved to Las Vegas, NV (I got married, which is unimportant) What is important is Ray became Nick's Dad. Nick and Ray have the best relationship ever! Ray has taught Nick so much. I think he has more of Ray's traits, than he has of mine, his natural mother. For example Nick and Ray are both very neat, Eric (Nicks brother) and I are not. Nick and Ray share a very special relationship and I feel very blessed to be a part of it! In junior high Nick had to test the waters, as all boys do, I think? Anyway, he did go through a period of time where he was too cool. The girls thought he was "it" and that was all that mattered. Those years came and went quickly and Nick was right back on track. By the time he reached high school he would look back and couldn't believe how he had acted in junior high. Nick's first car was a jeep Cherokee, did I mention it was a standard transmission. He had a few difficult times and eventually we went to automatic. We laugh about that quite a bit. His favorite movies are the Shawshank Redemtion and Jim Carey in Dumb and Dumber. As a freshman Nick belonged to the Future Business Leaders of America Club, we were so proud. Sophomore and Junior year he played basketball and Senior year he played football. Some memorable moments were going to Cancun for his senior trip. Lots of school dances, homecoming, prom, sadie Hawkins. Hanging out with lots of friends. And the best graduation party ever!!! Then came the big day, we had to take Nicholas to college. I am still unsure how we got this far. Nothing anyone could have said to me could have prepared me for such a shock. I will never forget saying goodbye outside "Nye Hall" at the University of Nevada Reno. I cried my heart out, and so did Nick. I was looking for support from Ray (my husband), that did not happen because he was crying the hardest. The drive back was eight hours and I think I cried myself to sleep after four. I remember the Dean giving a speech about children growing up, yada yada yada . . . . I didn't pay attention, I couldn't! I did not want to leave my son. Nicks first time home was Thanksgiving, and oh how he matured. Once again he crossed a milestone and had somehow become a young man. Talking about world events and the economy, I could hardly believe this was my son.Nick did well in college and this is where we are today. I cannot believe it is time for him to graduate again. From pre-school to college, He has become a fine young man with sincere values and morals. He has formed great friendships. I don't know if there is a set of parents prouder than us. When Nick and Eric were little I received many compliments on how well behaved they were and what great kids I had, however, I never really gave it much thought. Now, I am so proud that I have raised a son, (actually two sons) who have grown up to be kind, genuine and responsible young human beings.I could go in forever.

What style of poem would you prefer (happy, sad, romantic etc.): Sincere and meaningful in an upbeat style. I will be reading this at his graduation dinner.

Please choose which package you would prefer:Deluxe

Do you have any last comments or thoughts: I have used you in the past and absolutely adore your work! I will be reading it on December 4, so the timeframe is kind of tight. I know you will turn out a great masterpiece.

A Wonderful, Kind, Genuine Man

On February 9, 1982, I received a gift, Nicholas Stephen Yanez was his name, and our lives changed for the better, and ever since, we've never been the same. And we just wanted to say "we love 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, they're straight from the heart: You can now do whatever you choose to do, just be careful not to follow a fickle fashion, because truly, you are capable of everything, so whatever do, make sure it's your passion. Maybe you could be the new Cookie Monster, and become the star of Sesame Street, because when he sang "C" is for cookie, it was all over, and you never missed a beat. Growing up in Minnesota meant so many fun times, in truth, there's too many to individually list, just know that each and every one is precious, and that there's not one that we would've missed. We remember you used to spend a lot of time outdoors, and the winter carnival was always a memorable time, you'd build ice castles, make snowmen, and I seem to recall I recall with sledding there was always a hill to climb. But maybe that's a good lesson for the future, because the higher you climb the better the view, and we just wanted to say we're proud of who you are, and we're very proud of everything that you do. You are Eric are exactly one year and one day apart, so growing up, you formed this quite remarkable bond, you always shared those terrific birthday parties, do you remember the magician and his magic wand? You've always been extremely athletic, at baseball, basketball and football you'd excel, and we just wanted to say we're proud of you, I hope by now you can surely tell. You started your academic career at Pine Pend, you always wanted to wear a shirt and tie, I remember the day you left for kindergarten, but that was only yesterday (and I've still a tear in my eye). I could not believe you were ready to set sail, but you were more than ready and as anxious as ever, and now you've conquered those stormy seas, and you've set a true course (no matter the weather). In the first grade you starred in the school play, Miss Burch cast you in the lead as Farmer Brown, and then shortly after, you moved onto being a shepherd, and then you played the wisest man in this here town. And I know that spelling didn't come that easy to you, Leon, Leon was never heard by angels (nor was a king of Israel), but to be honest, you were an angel growing up, but there were a couple of occasions when you'd fail. It was three months before I found out about your glasses, and having lunch at Signal Hills included some bitter pills, but "Red Dollars" at Candyland was your favorite, and Cosetta's Pizza and Mostacholli cured many ills. In fifth grade we moved to Las Vegas, and that's when Ray became your Dad, and I know you have a great time together, in fact, they're some of the best times you've ever had. In Junior High you had to test the waters, but most boys do at that age (I think), I remember the girls thought you were "it", but you soon pulled back from that dangerous brink. Your first car was a jeep Cherokee, but I think there were Indians in the tank, so eventually you went to an automatic, and your redemption was certainly not Shawshank. I supposed you could have played Dumber and Dumber, but you were a future business leader in the making, and it was Cancun, school dances, homecoming prom, Sadie Hawkins (and plenty of friends for the making). And then came the big day, when you went to college, nothing could have prepared me for such a shock, I will never forget saying goodbye outside "Nye Hall", and those tears we cried I wont try to block. I remember looking for support from Ray, but he was crying the hardest of all, I cried myself to sleep on the way home, and after 4 hours, I'd cried a river (and a waterfall). I remember the first time you came home after that, how could I forget? It was our Thanksgiving dinner, and I realized then you had crossed a milestone, you'd matured, you were a young man (and always a winner). And of course, you did so very well in college, and that brings us here, to this remarkable day, and Nick, we just wanted to say we're proud of you, but we do have these last pearls to say; I think we'll close 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 while we're looking at those heavens, it reminds us that the sky is no limit, so please get the best out of every day, and whatever happens, live your life (and be in it). Because you've already shown what you're capable of, and we've never said just how wonderful you are, but if our love for you were a distance, then it would be further than the furthest star. Truly, you've become a fine young man, you've sincere morals and values, you've a good soul, and we just wanted to thank you for being you, you are the one that makes us completely whole. And I received many compliments when you were younger, I didn't take much notice, I wasn't following a master plan, but now I'm so proud that I've raised two fine sons, and Nick, you truly are a wonderful, kind, genuine man. And we just wanted to say "Happy Graduation", I guess that's really what these words are for, here's to you, Nick, you're truly wonderful, and here's to your everlasting success, for evermore.

Copyright www.agiftofpoetry.co.uk 2008

Allen Jesson

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