Sunday, December 9, 2012

Super Man

Caring is a given
Not a question for this man
Mother, Father, Aunt
Cared for them all until
He did not have the strength
Then visited twice a day
Brought pastellitos for the staff
A little sweet insurance for extra care

Was the constant for his grandchildren
Because caring is a given
No question, that every day
He picked them up from school
Took care of them if they were sick
While their power career parents climbed ladders
Got raises and worked late
He made the nietos cafe con leche, and listened to their stories

And when more family came from Cuba
Everyone else put up the money, but he housed them
Because caring is a given
Even when they stayed past welcome
And their daughter left them there
He fed them, drove them, called rescue
And made the funeral plans

Now his sweetheart of sixty years
Can no longer care for herself
No break, yet no complaint
Because caring is a given

And the circle of life spins
What was given is returned
Beloved and surrounded by
All his family, every day
Full of caring,
Given with gratitude

This is written for Poetry Jam's poetryjaam.blogspot.com prompt to write about a good person; And for dverse poets-another form that took on a form of it's own—kinda a quatern; dversepoets.com; and for Poets United Poetry Pantry poetryblogroll.blogspot.com This is dedicated to my father-in-law who is one of the most genuinely good people I know. His life has been that of a caregiver, and he has shouldered it with love, and patience for the past thirty years. It amazes me. And the best part is to see how much love surrounds him. His children are always there for him, he does not want for anything, daily phone calls too, plus—every Saturday is breakfast with his daughter's family and every Sunday it's dinner with us. His grandkids call him every day, help him care for his wife, give him haircuts, and take him out to lunch every week. * pastellitos are Cuban pastries; *nietos is spanish for grandchildren :-)

25 comments:

  1. Sara, this makes my heart sing. It sounds as if he has helped so many people throughout his life (heartwarming about his grandchildren) and now the caring is returned to him, which is definitely as it should be. The circle of life DOES indeed spin! Smiles.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Mary!! You made my day with your "heart singing" comment. That is what it's all about. And you are exactly right--no one poem can capture all that he is and has done--just a humble good person, always doing the right thing :-) Thank you!

      Delete
  2. what is given is returned....i love that he gave so much...it speaks high of his heart...and i am glad in the end that they learned from him as well...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Brian!! Yes, he has a wonderful heart and it is so heartwarming to see how much his grandkids love him--they all say he's "cool" because he has never judged them, always made them feel like they are the most amazing kids/people :-) I feel very lucky they had him in their lives

      Delete
  3. This one really touches the heart ... you have spoken so truly about love and dedication !!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi G.S.!! Glad that the message came through--it was not an easy write, and honestly I wanted to be more melodic/poetic--but also wanted to share it before the New Year :-) thank you!

      Delete
  4. Karma. We get back what we give out. Your father in law is getting his just deserts. With is actions, he gave love out all of his life and now he is loved in return. I wish the whole world could live like this and then it wouldn't be in so much trouble.
    This is a truly lovely poem, and read. Yes, he is a good man and, it's heart warming to see that his goodness is being rewarded.
    Loved this and, thank you for such a lovely comment too :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Brenda!! You are so right--Karma, I see it all the time. The world would be a much better place if everyone understood that--Thank you very much for your generous words :-)

      Delete
  5. Fantastic tribute -- beautiful.
    "For Him, Caring is Given"
    is a title I hear.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sabio!! You're right, that would be a great title--thank you very much for your kind words :-)

      Delete
  6. Replies
    1. Hi Cressida!! So nice to see you again--thank you! I'm very glad you enjoyed it :-)

      Delete
  7. How precious is this piece? Keep it! Share it with your children, nieces and nephews. It tells the life story of an amazing person, living an enlightened existence.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kim!! Nice to see you :-) That is a good idea, some day, I'll share it. The best part is that they are living it now, seeing that example--It's a wonderful thing.

      Delete
  8. This is such a lovely tribute! Beautifully written!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi!! Nice to see you again--thank you for your kind words :-)

      Delete
  9. What a heart-warming story to read, especially at this time of year. I like how you showed his loving and his kindness with specific things. Excellent. You should post a picture of him with this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Peggy!! You are right, I should post a picture of him--that's part of the charm too, a very unassuming man--no cape or anything :-) Thank you!

      Delete
  10. oh he sounds like a wonderful man...such a gift to have people with such a big heart in the fam..and so wonderful that what was given is returned now..that's not always the case..wonderful write

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Claudia!! Thank you very much--so true, it is a gift to have him in the family and to see his impact on the kids, they are definitely better people because of his influence. :-)

      Delete
  11. This poem looked rather bleak, and so the sunny ending was quite a pleasant surprise! Great storytelling.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jack!! Yes, I saw that too and it's not my style, fortunately his life does have a happy result :-)

      Delete
  12. Just the mention of "pastelitos" had me melting like an ice cream inside an oven. That word brings back memories galore. Your poem is a beautiful ode to those who left before and never forgot those they left behind. Many thanks. I really enjoyed that.

    Greetings from London.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cuban!!! Thought you'd enjoy that pastelito reference :-) Always enjoy your visits and comments-so glad to have met you.

      Greetings from Fort Lauderdale :-)

      Delete
  13. I just love this for so many reasons.

    ReplyDelete

Your words are wonderful! Thanks for popping in--I'll be over in a snap!