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Oil Fields

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. You see, there are two very special people, and that's why we're gathered here today, they've simply been our inspiration in life, and we've got a few important words to say. Our parents, Ethel and Verlin Bonvillain, were married April 27th, 1952, they married on our father's 25th birthday, (to remember your anniversary, not a silly thing to do :) They lived in Thibodaux for a while, then moved to Houma and have been here ever since, they never liked moving around much, and didn't want to make too many footprints. I remember growing up in our family of nine, and there was one thing that Dad would always state, that the problem with a family pack of pork chops, was that there was never nine, only eight ! We were the milk delivery man's best customer ! Have you ever heard a grown cow cry? I can just imagine those poor old heifers, because we'd drink the whole herd dry. With such a very big family, there were obviously sacrifices to be made, but you rarely if ever showed it, yours were some of the finest roles ever played. Mom is an excellent seamstress, she made most everything when we were growing, she's made everything from curtains to coats, there's always been a lot of love in her sewing. She's also a fantastic cook, we hardly ever ate out, childhood mealtimes were very special, it's where we found out what family is all about. Mom also used to give out haircuts, the memory of which still makes us smile, the results would vary greatly, and there was a shocker every once in a while ! Dad worked two, even three jobs, just to keep the ship afloat, he struck oil seven times along the way, (one of the nicest lines I've ever wrote :) Our parents have dealt with everything, from childhood illnesses to a broken bone, they've given us more than everything, and we're very grateful for all the love that they've shown. They spent many a year watching baseball, and shuttling kids between many a different game, it didn't matter whether we'd win or lose, their significant pride in us was all the same. Dad worked in the oilfields, Mom stayed at home and made it heaven, Mom slaving over a hot stove, while Dad worked seven and seven. We never had many vacations, but we never felt that we were ever slighted, in fact, we had such a great childhood, we think that the pair of you should be knighted ! Now we've all flown the nest, and my parents are free to travel around, and they like to do a bit of gambling, a jackpot has always been such a rewarding sound. Mom had her scare in '96, but gladly she pulled bravely through, and we're so very proud of who you are, and we're so very proud of what you do. She's now a collector of angels, I guess because she's one on the inside, and whenever I talk of my parents, it's with a terrific sense of pride. We are a family of seven children, (even though Dale is sadly, no longer here), they say everything for a reason, even though sometimes its not that clear. But you've always had a remarkable faith, and He's carried you when you've been down, and our close family ties also helped, whenever there's adversity, we all rally around. And the oilfield has grown extra wells, and from the seven, eleven, and let's not forget the 4, and we see such happiness in your eyes, when we all gather around once more. And we'd just like to say thank you, for all your love, caring, sweat and toil, just know that we love you so very much, and we know we're the ones that struck oil !

Copyright www.agiftofpoetry.co.uk 2009

Allen Jesson

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