Black Friday is behind us
the season is well under way,
time for holiday greetings to
wish a Merry Christmas day.
Santa will be coming
on that you can depend,
the merchants are expecting you
so get out and … spend.
Down here in Georgia
we don't need a big reason,
we are sending you a rhyme
cause 'tis the holiday season.
It's been a year to remember,
count our blessings and such,
say a lot of "Thanksgivings"
and stay in closer touch.
Looking back over this year …
remembering what ‘twas about,
lives touching friends n’family
… giving joy … without doubt.
The Elia’s came last Christmas
over from Arkansas;
we enjoyed seasonal eating
the best you ever saw.
Not until February
did we make a family trip;
Grandy and Poppa were calling
so to Nashville we did zip.
Broke bread with two brothers
their wives n’ family and all;
no cooking or clean up…smart,
we just ate at the Mall!
All this was before Poppa
had surgery on his hand;
before Grandy took a tumble
and her hip had to mend.
Yes, my folks are healing
in case you did not hear it;
cause they love each other
and they have a great spirit.
No trip to New Orleans
but Mother’s day was great;
Keith boiled up the crawfish
a backyard "lagniappe" we ate.
Shortly after, my sister Mary
came with hubby … Wayne;
enjoyed a nice southern visit,
saw Pearl Harbor with no pain.
Summer saw activity, Son
Russ was mountain biking;
Janet was computing, while a
driving permit was to Colin’s liking.
Yes he's fifteen! and
plays a hot sax in the band;
his voice is so nice and deep
you would think he was a man!
Brent & Ryan are growing too,
off to their Nanny's for a month;
Brent (14) loves Saints football,
& Ryan (10) likes to pull stunts!
Nanny's was their treat while a
trip for Cindi & Keith was nice,
they enjoying Alaska beauty
and walked on glacier ice.
Russ, Janet plus Colin
also took a trip;
sailed from Denmark to Russia
And found Berlin to be … "hip".
We all enjoyed July 4th
it was a family day;
Russ was doing the grilling,
lots of eats … and "pool play".
Then "the Spivey girls"
Mae and her two sisters,
"spring cleaned" at their Mom’s
but developed very few blisters.
A side trip to St. Augustine
got them into a "ghostly route",
but Mae’s faupas at ghost touring
ended in a laughter "toot"!
So the summer ended, and we
were innocent, into travel & games;
then September Eleventh …
will we ever be the same?
We had reservations for Australia
and then to New Zealand too;
but was it safe to travel?
we said "yes" … and off we flew.
Security was tight …
my nail clippers were confiscated,
way "down under" seem far away,
some said we should have waited.
With the Elias to accompany
we flew to Melbourne fast,
saw those fairy penguins
n’ made memories that will last.
We swam Great Barrier Reef
saw natives sing and dance,
threw a boomerang, and
ate when we had a chance.
At Sydney we cruised the harbor
n’ toured the Olympics site,
enjoyed the friendly people
ate at the Opera house one night.
Bill and Cindy knew "Fred"
he came to Sydney to see them,
Aussies are such fun
and we were pleased to meet him.
More flying to New Zealand
where things were quite…serene,
the sheep caused no trouble
and scenery…like we had never seen.
Ate delicious lamb one night
in a local New Zealand home,
now we know the Singletons
in this place where we roamed.
If vacations are to take you away
renew energy that's been lost,
we recommend this package, go
"downunder" .. see the Southern Cross.
Pres. Bush says "business as usual"
so I guess we have tried,
to keep a normal schedule
no plans to stay home n' hide.
At Thanksgiving it was Florida,
to Jenny Jo's …by the sea;
those girls did some cooking
and Chuck smoked …a turkey!
We are planning to go to Nashville
and see the Rucker clan,
a gathering on the 29th
at least that is the plan.
Despite terror and sadness,
despite things that vex our soul,
with us things are OK…
we thank God …He is in control.
Seems a time to pray for safety,
to be thankful for each day,
tell folks that you love them, give
some encouragement along the way.
We hope all who read this
are well and happy too;
My God bless you this Christmas,
have a great Two Thousand Two!
John Rucker
December 2001