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By watching lots of foreign films I’ve seen a lot of places I’ve never been…and don’t expect to ever make it to… But I’d have only made the time, and spent the cost, to see them - In the flesh - if every trip I made included you. But that was not an option in the way my fate evolved. Despite my yen to wander ‘round the world - life ran astray - And, due to unpredictables, no chances came along Providing us with all we’d need to simply - break away. Halfway through our junior years we knew we’d be together, Inseparable and bound to marry, crazy nuts in love, But when the unexpected happened, things got pushed aside, And all our plans for traveling, which we’d both been dreaming of, Slid a little farther out of reach. It’s not uncommon. Babies tend to alter lives in less than subtle ways. And, when our second child was born, we had to hire a sitter ‘Cause, struggling hard to make ends meet, we both were working days. Two years later we were blessed with one more mouth to feed, And blankies turned from pink to blue…we’d finally had a boy. The five of us were doing well, a fam’ly free of problems, When me and Connie noticed tiny signs that little Roy Wasn’t quite as quick to learn as both the girls had been. We talked to several specialists and did as we were told, But even that - along with boundless love and countless prayers - Wasn’t enough to let him reach the age of five years old. We talked of trying one more time to make ourselves a son, But broken hearts prevailed, and we moved on with what we had. But we have never once regretted having little Roy, Nor having missed the - traveling thing - to be a mom and dad. All the while the girls had grown we contemplated moving After they had graduated - probably to France, But knowing both of our moms and dads were struggling with their health… Doing what was best again…we missed another chance. When Dawn and Heather flew the nest, we chilled a bit on moving, Yet still had hopes of taking off and touring foreign lands, But diabetes took me by surprise…my knees went bad… And anyone who sees a bunch of doctors understands How the thrill of traveling tends to lessen in appeal. “Touring” on a scooter was a thought I couldn’t abide, But long before I might have come to grips with giving in, We all were dealt another massive blow……my father died! Being there for Mother was, of course, the right decision. And taking her to see Dad’s grave on Sunday afternoons Offered more than one reward ‘cause…as I’d walk the graveyard… I’d pretend that I was walking ‘round in ancient ruins! The church - which lay encircled by a couple thousand stones - Stones with dates as long ago as 1591 - Played the part of medieval castle - clad with vines - Towering o’er the peasants, who’s indentured lives were run. Those who lay the closest to the church’s moldy walls Often came from foreign lands I hoped to one day see, And on the days I came alone, I’d read the oldest tombstones, Guessing, by their surnames, what their native lands might be. But that’s as close as - up ‘til then - I’d ever come to being Near enough to “days of old” to actually touch the past. Tracing out the chiseled names of folks from long ago, I’d close my eyes and vaguely see their distant worlds at last. Four years later Mother came to live with me and Connie. Still alert and fun to talk with, all was going great. Then, a couple weeks before her eighty-seventh birthday, Given she was not the type to be the least bit late, Connie ran upstairs to learn if she was needing help, Or if she’d simply overslept. But that was not the case. We knew that she’d been dreaming of my father when she passed ‘cause never had we seen a sweeter smile upon her face. Connie’s folks were younger and in somewhat better health, But not that far from needing live-in help to get them by. So, once again we couldn’t bring ourselves to run the risk Of missing what would be their “final hour” if one should die. Her father lasted three more years, her mother, nearly eight! And, just as they’d intended to, the four now lay at rest Side by side, with matching stones, that read, we’re proud to say, “Our loving children gave up dreams to do what they felt best.” Today, with all my issues that require pills and shots… And given Connie’s not the sprightly gal she used to be… I’m pretty sure the two of us will never tour the world… Outside of reading books and watching movies on TV, But, as you might expect, we have a super big collection Of older films that run from ‘35 to ’62… And when we dim the lights and watch them, in our special way, We’re sort of - touring the world - the way we always wanted to.
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