Sample Verse

Now Pete is marrying Katie, and it’s obvious when we chat,

He loves everything about her…if you don’t include her cat,

The cat is now his rival; has his own particular chair,

He doesn’t make much noise, but Pete just hates the fact he’s there,

Pete will go out cycling…he’s out in any weather,

I join him fairly often; we go up the hills together

He’s really not that fit – he puffs so much he’ll almost burst

But when we’re headed downhill you can bet he’ll get there first

He’s even bought a tandem, he says Katie doesn’t mind

Just gazing at his bottom whilst she’s pedalling behind….

She wasn’t very keen at first; that nearly fell quite flat

But if Katie doesn’t go, Pete, you could always take the cat…

These words are written from my heart and sent with love today,

This time of year is special, Mum; there’s much I’d like to say,

For twenty one long years, you were a huge part of my life,

You welcomed me with so much love when I became Dave’s wife,

Recollections, which I hold so dear remain, indeed, so strong,

Our early years were wonderful, in those days, nothing wrong

I remember family Christmases, with stockings every year,

We were adamant we wouldn’t let that habit disappear,

Your ways are quite ingrained in me; I’ve made it such a mission,

To follow in your footsteps and keep all of your traditions,

To visit you for Sunday lunch was always such a treat,

Times were more straightforward then; our lives seemed so complete,

But life can sometimes be so cruel; it really made its mark,

When we learned that Ian had lost his life, whilst serving in Iraq,

The sun went down for all of us in just one dreadful day,

And for Anne, such terrible tragedy; a baby on the the way,

But this family stands together, compassionate and true,

You’ve supported Anne so beautifully; you always helped her through,

I know you were distraught when Dave and I went separate ways,

But we’d struggled for so long; we’d had so many troubled days,

Separation isn’t easy; it brings deep abiding pain,

For us, it was the best thing, there was no-one else to blame,

I still care for him so deeply, and this I hope you know,

But in order to be happy, we had to let each other go,

I know that Dave is settled now; his smile is back once more,

But I’ve struggled with this ‘moving on’ it’s hard to close a door,

I really miss my nieces, so much more than you could know,

I used to love to be with them, to watch them play  and grow,

These very precious memories mean I often sit and dwell,

And Mum, I need to tell you, that I’m missing you as well,

I miss your hearty laughter; miss the comfort in your smile,

I miss your loving hugs Mum; and I have done, for a while,

Time is very precious; it often marches on too fast,

And a gulf sometimes appears; becomes too deep, too wide too vast,

Please don’t let this happen Mum, I know we’re now ‘apart’

But you’ll always be a part of me, tucked deep within my heart,

You’re Grandma to my children; that’s a thing we’ll always share,

And I need to let you know, this year, how very much I care,

And I hope these special words today will truly help you see,

That whatever might have been and gone, you’ll still be ‘Mum’ to me

©Jan Jack 2010

…..We had so many pets, we had most everything we wished,

Budgies, rabbits, guinea pigs, and loads and loads of fish,

Remember all the arguments, the times that you would shout?

“Claire, this isn’t MY job; come and clean this fish bowl out!”

..You’ve whizzed across to San Tropez, you’ve motor-homed in Spain

Been prostrate on an air bed whilst out camping in the rain

These days you go off cruising; like to wear your dinner jacket,

The one that Mum describes as “having cost a ruddy packet’

You’re seventy today, Dad, and that’s so hard to believe,

I’m proud that you’re my Dad; so proud of all that you’ve achieved

Thank you for our memories, for a childhood full of fun,

The support you always give and….….

A warm thank you to all my guests, for coming here today,

For taking time to celebrate my very special day,

I’d like to share my memories, and take a little time,

To thank my kind and special Dad, by way of this small rhyme.

There are many mixed emotions here upon my wedding day,

Nineteen years ago this June, we lost Mum on the way,

And Dad has been so wonderful, indeed he has become,

A perfect Dad in every way, and too, a perfect ‘Mum’

I have such happy memories Dad, of times we’ve had together,

Picnics, visits to the beach, despite inclement weather

Two different sets of footprints leaving marks there in the sand,

As I skipped along beside you, keeping tight hold of your hand.

You were there with endless patience, usually cheerful, rarely glum,

You rose to the occasion, Dad; your job of being “Mum”

You struggled with my teenage years and couldn’t understand

The music coming from my room, you’d say “call that a band?”

You didn’t like my make up, weren’t impressed with modern clothes,

And you shot right into orbit when I varnished all my toes.

But somehow, with our loving bond, we got through teenage years,

With not too many arguments, and hardly any tears.

And then I met my husband Tim, just two short years ago,

You said when I came home I had a certain, happy glow,

You found the change a little hard, the time had quickly flown,

In just a few short years it seemed, your little girl had grown,

So today I want to thank you Dad, for simply being you,

How lovely it would be for us, if Mum was with us too,

But you’ve been a lovely guiding light; of that I’m truly glad,

So please raise your glasses everyone, and toast My Perfect Dad.