A True Jewel

Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention please? Every now and then in life, there's opportunity you should seize. Because days, weeks, months happen, and the years they can go so fast, and words that should get said, don't - and if they do they never last. So I'm going to change all that, change it right here and right now, I hope the right words come along, I'll give it my best shot - anyhow. And please forgive my nervousness, public speaking doesn't come naturally to me, so please forgive any mistakes that I make, you may have to listen quite patiently. Now, we're all gathered here today, to honor a very special lady who's centre stage, a lady whose integrity is unquestionable, and who has the wisdom of someone twice her age. Mom is actually quite the silent type, so there maybe a few things that you don't know, it's time for me to "spill a few beans", and then, like Jack, we'll just watch them grow and grow. She was reared on a ranch in Tres Piedras, raising cattle, horses and her pet lamb She even worked in the family's store, pumping gas, selling candy and strawberry jam! She was moved up two years in school, and still graduated Valedictorian of McCurdy High, she played on the volleyball and basketball teams, I guess that's probably where she learnt to fly. She was voted one of the High School Court Princesses, and was offered a full scholarship to New Mexico Tech, and her first job was working for Pete Domenici, way before he started his very own star trek. Mom began working as a legal secretary, she really loved the legal field, now Mom enjoys wood-working with Dad, hiking, gardening, cooking and the occasional read. Midway through her career, she earned her paralegal degree, off to the Public Defender's Office she went, defending criminals was obviously her cup of tea ! The Defender's office was small when she started, number of employees, including herself, totaled six, and as crime grew, so did their office, I think now there's 49 people - a fine and splendid mix. Mom earned the Administrative Officer position, overseeing all the activities for the last 24 years, Mom held the fort through all the moves and changes, through the stress, the laughter (and the tears). I think she's really been the rock, the glue that's held it all together, and I know that I'm proud of her, and I know that I'll love her forever and ever. She is so very dependable, and she's smart, smart and very smart, she's earned respect from her peers and bosses, she's made working into a work of art ! You can trust Mom with your deepest secret, and you know that her lips will remain tightly sealed, she's the person to go to when you need help, and you know that your problems will never be revealed. She can be given any job, no matter how big or small, and she'll handle it with absolute perfection, she's a wealth of information - a true jewel. Though her work week was hectic, she always made time for us and Dad, helping remodel and build our home, I think she's the finest mother any daughter's ever had. And most people wind down in their retirement, but Mom chose to be involved with FAST Four instead, stressful, rewarding and a challenge, she's trod where lesser mortals would have feared to tread. She'll miss her stress relief lunch hour, and I know she'll miss the day to day grind, and their favorite restaurants will miss them all, Yolanda, Belinda and Mom - three of a kind. And Slim Fast will now go out of business, there'll be no more of their drinking spurts, because this is the end of an era, and I guess that's what probably hurts. But Mom's tenure has been an impressive one, and she's set a fine example on the home front as well, and I'm so very, very proud of her, I hope by now, you can surely tell. And we're looking forward to spending more time with you, now that you've finally found the time to retire, and I'm sure you'll go on to achieve great things, knowing you - you'll lift the bar a little higher. And finally, watch out Dad ! I think your retirement days are done, look out for the huge honey-do list, Albert, quick, you've still got a chance to run! But seriously folks, Mom has been an inspiration to us all, she has raised us, she's lifted us, in fact, standing here I feel about ten feet tall. So I'd like to say thanks, Mom, and I know occasionally I can be the nut, but I wouldn't be who I am today without you, and I know, in my heart, that's a pretty big but. Because you truly have been "a true jewel", and your love for us has brightly shone, and may your days last forever, may your health and happiness keep shining on.

Copyright www.agiftofpoetry.co.uk 2008

Allen Jesson

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