Tuesday, December 31, 2013

The year 2013 in review


'Twas a few days before Christmas, another year bites the dust.
Four nieces report birth control was a bust.
Baby girls in our future, at least four, maybe five.
The next wave of cousins proof we were all once alive.

My own girls made merry pretty much as in years past,
Delicious routines which we all hope will last.
A trip here and there to see family and friend
And for those who came here, such fun times did we spend.
Skied with old friends a lot, thirty times (or more) last year.
Thankful we wore helmets.  Thumbs up for all head gear.

We enjoyed some spring surprises, all the plants which came around.
Since our yard, it seems, is rock.  Not much soil makes up our ground.
But hiking in the mountains always takes our breath away.
It's not because we're out of shape.  It's aesthetic where we play.
We sample entertainment, never take a day for granted.
Wish but one thing.  Some more success, with tomatoes we have planted.

Jamie's good friend Heather enjoyed her time up here.
Met loads of PC locals.  Plans to come up every year.
Jamie shoots her buddies, has amassed a ton of snaps.
Senior photos have been awesome.  A career is born, perhaps.
And Alex knows more buddies than even we have met thus far.
She paints the house, and helps out, and then heads out to the bar.
She's busy doing clerkships.  Two months both near and far.
Learning how to treat her patients.  Noting walks and gait bizarre.
Sweet Amanda and her Patrick too came up here for a bit.
Tried Olympic Park, the ropes course, testing whether we were fit.
And sat out at the alpine lakes, some chairs and lunch we had.
Some sun and leaping trout.  All in all, I'd say, not bad.

The kids of several old friends, their weddings sure were great.
Learned to never trust the Garmin.  Nearly sent us to our fate.
One-lane stone road in the mountains, much too steep for poor old Rav.
Our nerves were way too tense.  Some big drinks then did we have.
Sure do enjoy our friends, wish we had more time to spend.
Drinking wine and sharing stories.  Against Time, we must all fend.
Admit that what we treasure is not diamonds or bright gold,
It's not big cars or houses or investments that we've sold.
Keep in mind that it's Time that we treasure the most.
Pain free and healthy, we lift glasses, and we toast.
Wealth but a way we exchange Time and keep score.
We'd give all for the other, for good years, I'd be poor.
So choose to spend time or some money instead.
I'd choose Time every time, with our kids, like I've said.

Another year at a crossroads, my kids start their careers,
Explore north and then south, those uncharted frontiers.
My youngest looks at college in the Pacific Northwest,
Like her sisters she'll choose what she thinks will be best.
And new kinds of things have I tried with my art
Capture Dave's magnum opus, or more art a la carte.
Show results of hard work, every form as we see 'em,
Having as much fun as we can.  As I've said, carpe diem.