A man of distinction ~ And wasn’t
vain, Acting is how he made his name, He was more than
an actor ~ More than his looks, However, his charm was his
hook, His manly manor made women sway Beautiful eyes ~
Radiant smile ~ Oh what a day, A man of fame ~ Yet, just a
man, He loved to live ~ And lending a hand, He was a man
who wore many hats, He love to dabble
in-this-and-that, Racing ~ With the wind in his hair,
His spirit soared ~ And still lives there, Loving the
sport ~ Loving to race, It was here ~ That he found
grace, Next in line was the hat of a chef, “Newman’s
Own” ~ This food was blessed, The profits here lit up like
a lamp, Born was ~ The Hole In The Wall Camp, Seriously
ill children ~ Needing to know fun, Became a reality ~
Because Newman got it done, He served his nation in World
War II, He always gave ~ Did all he could do, A man of
faith ~ He had to be, He saw and did things others didn’t
see, Acting and racing were so much of his life, But his
true love were his children and wife, The world has lost ~
A man among men, But his legacy will never end His final
hat ~ Has been issued, Paul Newman in a halo ~ He’s
laughing too.
He is alive ~ And at the same time
gone, His substance lingers with each new dawn, He
touched a world ~ That was hard to reach, His chosen
profession ~ His mission to teach, He left his mark
~ Virtue and Grace, He left his world a better
place, Life was precious ~ Life he loved, Even as his
name was echoed above, Lessons to prepare ~ Before he could
leave, Knowing his loved ones were going to
grieve, Answers to questions ~ He wouldn’t be here to
give, So he left little lessons ~ To help them to
live Leaving two sons ~ A daughter ~ And a wife
behind, Needing to leave their world ~ With
purpose ~ Not blind, A young man he was ~ A young man he
died, Leaving family ~ Friends ~ And strangers to
cry, So the echoes continued ~ While he made
plans, Needing to know ~ That his family could
stand, During this time ~ He tried to impart, All of the
goodness ~ Deep in his heart, His students relayed the
lectures he gave, How even in dying ~ His living was
brave, Integrity enveloped this one special man, His
Last Lecture ~ Was written by ~ God’s Own
Hand.
Randolph Frederick
Pausch October 23, 1960 July 25,
2008
Note:
I have now
watched The Lecture three times. Randy's whole
being was (and still is) magnetic. I do believe that is
why his students, their parents and his
communitie gravitated towards him. He seems to have
had "the something" that we're all looking for. "The
Magic" Jai referres to I am sure will be missing for a
while. However, God gave them three beautiful and
wonderful children. "The Magic" will return times
three. Jai will be there when they need a dad and I'm
betting that she will know what Randy would say. As a
couple they truly seemed to be one being. I believe that
is what God intended when two join together ~ And Make
One.
To Jai
& Family,
I am, like
so many others, truly sorry for your loss. Yet, I also
believe that you are truly blessed. Randy is and always
will be with you. So, pray and stay strong.
You are how the children will know their dad. There is
no missing link in your chain ~ One link melted into the other
four links ~ For strength and solidarity. Thank you for
being part of his interviews and letting the world see the
complete Randy Pausch. For without you Jai, there
would not have been: The Last
Lecture.
Flags hang low
across this land, Yet, proudly fly ~ For an honored
man, He was not elected Commander and Chief, He served
at a time of turmoil and grief, Bernstein and Woodward of
The Washington Post, Broke “The Watergate Scandal” ~
Thanks to “Deep Throat”, Nixon resigned ~ Most thought in
disgrace, He waved his goodbyes as he vacated this
place, Vice President Ford stepped forward that day, His
words were simple ~ The truth was his way, Now, as
President ~ He saw America scarred, To heal her wounds is
where he would start, His stay was short ~ Yet, history was
made, He never regretted the pardon he gave, The pardon
was his defining role, And angry citizens told him
so, Not many remember his other deeds, Like ending the
war over seas, Vietnam divided ~ North against
south, Americans too ~ Had their doubts, Dictatorship
vs. Freedom of land, The issues were simple but not so the
war plan, As President Ford with strength did guide, The
winds of war changed their tides, Saigon fell and the war
did end, South Vietnam was left by her friend, Prisoners
of war on the nightly news, It broke many hearts to see
this abuse, All-in-all, this war took its toll, And
America lost bits of her soul, So, President Ford did
understand, That his mission in life was at
hand, Intuitive he was in politics and life, Steadfast
to his country, children and wife, Infidelity a word never
linked to his name, Genuine and honor never hungry for
fame, Never a scandal ~ Not even a hint, He came ~ He
served ~ Then he went, Leaving his office with dignity and
pride, Thank you Mr. President ~ For being our
guide. ~~~
Thank You Mr. President
& God Bless America (Our 38th President) President
Gerald Rudolph Ford July 14, 1913 - December 26,
2006
“If Peter don’t tell me ~ I
don’t need to know.” These words were spoke with humor
bestowed, I watched him report and share with the
world, His insights given as the news was unfurled,
Then one evening out of the blue, He spoke of his
illness to me and to you, Lung cancer had invaded his
life, A leave he was taking ~ So, he could fight, Dan
Rather was gone ~ Tom Brokaw too, It seemed as if Peter was
already doomed, He lost his fight ~ The cancer did
win, The world now grieves with his family and
friends, The World News Tonight will not be the
same, With Peter Jennings no longer named. As he
reported his news on the air, There sat a man who really
did care, He flew the oceans ~ He sailed the skies, To
inform his world ~ No truth denied, Foreign lands where old
cultures lie, Where people aren‘t heard when they
cry, Peter did bring these stories to light, Giving a
voice and exposing their plights, While watching him
deliver the news, The world became smaller because we now
knew, As he spoke to the camera each day, His eyes said
things his voice didn’t say, Peter is gone from his family
~ Gone from his home, Gone from this world that he loved to
roam, Maybe he’s reporting in Heaven’s own
Sphere, Telling our Father ~ How it is here.
“If
Peter don’t tell me ~ I don’t need to know,” ~~~ I guess
these words are no longer so.
~~~
His name was written in the
wind, And chanted softly as a boy back then, This son of
Poland grew into a man, Who would storm the world with a
gentle hand, A priest he became ~ A man of God, The
world his stage ~ His people awed, Religious and strong he
spoke with insight, Of the good ~ The bad ~ The wrong ~ The
right, He grew in the church through his works and
hope, This gentle man became the World’s Pope, John Paul
II ~ His chosen name, And this world would never be the
same, With kindness of heart and words of might, Social
injustice was his personal fight, He traveled to lands and
spoke to all, Millions came out to hear his
call, Presidents and dictators befriended this man, He
spoke to the issues of each foreign land, He didn’t agree
just to be kind, His words were always to promote
mankind, His face ~ His smile ~ His easy way, Made him
the pope he was each day, His message of peace, of hope and
prayer, Steadfast in deed even as he got grayer, With
age and Parkinson’s his body grew tired, Watching him
struggle only inspired, So many sermons of his Father’s
Home, Where life is eternal ~ No lost to just roam, His
name again was whispered and sang, Bells and chimes
mimicked his name, Angels did gather to escort him
High, Birds and butterflies fluttered on by, The
universe it seemed was happy and pleased, But this
Shepard’s flock were beginning to grieve, Many were stunned
~ Many more cried, Their holy leader would no longer
guide, Helpless and lost without this great man, He had
the answers ~ He had the plan, He led by example and
followed the word, Trying to teach all that he
learned, Even in death ~ He welcomed bliss, Meeting his
Father in Heaven’s Own Mist.
Pope John Paul
II Karol Josef Wojtyla May 18, 1920 ~ April 2,
2005
“Heeeres Johnny,” Ed would
say, The Introduction never swayed, ~~~ “Heeeres
Johnny,” Bob Hope said, The introduction as he lead, God
stood to greet His newest guest, Johnny knew that he’d been
blessed, So he fell on bended knee, Bowed his head for
God to see, God gently helped Johnny stand, Showing that
He understands, So they walked in Heavens High, Johnny
asked his questions why, Because he felt his sins were
great, Yet, he made it through Heaven’s Gate, Insecure
and oh so shy, Misunderstood ~ His battle cry, As he
stands on Heavens Floor, Peace is his to adorn, Johnny
now begins to glow, His insecurities letting go, Johnny
in Heaven ~ Now, he grins… He turns around and sees his
friends, “HEEERES JOHNNY,” they shout out loud, And
Johnny’s performing for Heavens Crowd. ~~~ “Heeeres
Johnny,” Ed did say, He left thirty years of
yesterdays.
Big and strong ~ A leading
man, His heroine never understands, He loved her so ~
Yes, he did, Fighting for her is what he did, Took on
the world ~ Fire power too, For his beauty he wanted to
rescue, Not understanding ~ His lady’s fear, Or the
world’s flaming sears, He ran with her ~ In his
hand, Protecting her was his plan, She cried and
screamed ~ Fought him so, He was to ugly for her to
know, She couldn’t see ~ In to his soul, Neither of them
were consoled, Beauty and the Beast ~ The story was
born, But for King Kong very few mourned, His heroine
lives on ~ Even today, Kong always loved her ~ His beauty
Fay Wray.
A working president even in
death, To much to do before he could rest, He had a
country that he must see, Before he could take his final
leave, Jetting here and jetting there, This was his
cross to bear, For his nation - He Laid in State, For
his nation - Heaven would wait, Gallantry in life is what
he gave, Honor in death is what he displayed, Heads of
State from his past, Remembered his strength and his
laugh, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Pageantry of
beauty a daily routine, His family shared him even in
death, For they knew - Both had been blessed, A husband
and father - Grandfather too, Spoke of the man - That only
they knew, Fifty-two years he was with his wife, He
showed her love everyday of his life, Finally, his duty to
his country was done, And he met his God with the setting
sun.
Thank you Mr. President & God Bless
America.
President Ronald Wilson
Reagan February 6, 1911 - June 5,
2004
Turn back the years to an earlier
time, Turn back your age to four or five, Forty years
gone ~ Now you’re young, Running and playing ~ Just having
fun, Mornings start at 7:00 a.m. TV is on and you’re
there with him, Rocky & Bullwinkle, Mr. Green Jeans
too, Are also with you and Captain Kangaroo, Dancing
Bear ~ He made you laugh, So did Mr. Green Jeans hat, To
much to remember ~ To much to forget, One thing holds true
~ The Captain was a gift, He gathered these characters and
then unfurled, Turning everyday into a “Children’s
World.” It’s forty years later ~ You’ve children
too, They didn’t have Captain Kangaroo, But because he
lived and because he cared, Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood made
the air, The list goes on ~ Because of one man, He had a
vision ~ He laid the plan, Now, he’s gone and we bid him
ado, Know that you’re missed, Captain
Kangaroo.
A hundred
years he graced this stage, As husband, father, actor,
sage, A man of knowledge ~ A man so wise, Humanity has
lost with his demise, He gave to all at the least a
smile, For others he flew thousands of miles, Fear of
death, if ever a thought, Was overcome for those who
fought, From World War 2 to Desert Storm, Entertaining
soldiers was the norm, He made them laugh and forget, If
only for a little bit, Others traveled to wars with
him, Bringing light where life was dim, During the
holidays he and his group, Always shared Christmas with the
troops, A man of Honor ~ A man of Pride, Proud of his
country & stood by Her side, A “Goodwill Ambassador” to
the U. S. of A., He supported Her proudly ~ To his dying
day, He gave to others what he could, His values simple
and understood, Live life, be kind and learn to
laugh, He lived his life with this epithet, He played at
living and loved to play, He marveled at life
everyday, He touched more than family and friends, Heads
of State beckoned him, Loved by many ~ Respected by
all, He has made his final curtain call, “Thanks for the
Memories” his chosen tune, And a hundred years rolled by to
soon, With laughter and love God sent us hope, “Thanks
for the blessings and Mr. Bob Hope.”
May 29,
1903 - July 29, 2003
Note:
Bob was born Leslie Townes Hope in
Eltham, England on May 29, 1903.
In Remembrance of your parents Hugh "Pappy"
& Catherine Bosley.
SAYING GOODBYE
A quietness
lurks behind the tears, One only brothers and sisters can
hear, At first, speaking silently of our past, Then
falling into our rolls that were cast, As, we set and
remember when, A giggle slips every now and then, A
faint smile as we take our stroll, Winding our way down
memory row, Only siblings are welcomed here, For it’s a
journey that can’t be shared, You weren’t with us when we
were kids, You don’t know all that we did, This is our
time ~ This is our way, Of talking to our parents
today, Mom is gone ~ Now, so is dad, Lost to us is the
life we had, We each have families of our own, Yet,
we’re missing our childhood home, Missing a time when
there was time for play, Missing the phone calls we won’t
get today, You taught us love by simply being, You gave
us insight by always seeing, You gave us laughter with a
smile, It was an honor being your child, Going back in
time for this talk, Laughing and crying on this
walk, “Thank You” is what we’re trying to say, We love
and we’ll miss you every day.
Three men lived ~ Three men tried, To
enrich a society so it might thrive, Three men worked ~
Three men gave, Of themselves to their dyeing day, Death
has claimed three special men, A governor, a singer and a
comedian,
I
The Hoosier State lost it’s
chief, Indiana shares in grief, With his family and his
friends, Life is over ~ Death did win, He was respected
by one and all, His reputation made him tall, History
will for him be kind, Indiana was honored for a time, He
was called to a better place, Heaven will show him
grace.
II
A country singer has left this
sphere, The music world held him dear, An “Outlaw Hero”
he was dubbed, But it was said with so much love, Home
for a time a prison cell, After that he lived life
well, His youth rebellious ~ His life shy, He wrote
songs that made one cry, He looked hard all dressed in
black, Until his guitar left his back, He lived long and
he lived good, He’ll sing in Heaven it’s
understood.
III
A comedian who graced the
stage, Has also died at a young age, His heart gave out
just like his dad, And like before ~ America was sad, He
didn’t sing ~ He made people laugh, And they roared on his
behalf, He did good works ~ Besides his art, Where his
brother also played a part, His family loved him as did his
friends, They weren’t ready for the end, He gave
laughter in return for love, God was waiting for him
above.
IV
A governor, a singer and a
comedian, Gone from a world of mortal sin, Free from the
daily moral issues, Safe from the simple everyday
taboos, Finding loved ones lost long ago, Meeting
relatives they didn’t know, Even their pets are on Heaven’s
Sod, Safe in Heaven ~ Safe with God.
Gov. Frank O’Bannon January 30,
1930 September 13, 2003
