Billy and Mr. Bill

My son Billy is becoming Mr. Bill.
Billy may become Bill or Will or William or not.
I still remember the day he was born as if it was yesterday.
Twins jousting for the birthing position.
Billy and Matt or Matt and Billy. Either way is fine with me.
What was the order and why was Billy exiting first ?
Going somewhere Billy ?

I have watched you evolve as a child into a young boy.
From young boy to young man the process has continued.

What will become of my Mr. Bill ?
Will he further develop into a man, a serious man ?
A young man that finds his stride and follows his bliss.
Does he inherit my DNA that will drive his creativity ?

I look forward to meeting the elder Mr. Bill.
We have so many things to talk about and
We have some many things to experience.

Oh no, Mr. Bill. You are my son !!

Watching Over Me

When you watch over me I know that I am safe.
You make me feel safe. You make me feel protected.
When I am in the hospital you are with me.
You watch over me. You are my sentinel.
I love to watch you when you sleep and I
Wonder what you think of me as I sleep.
You are my life.
You are my raison d'etre.

Put a Happy Face on It

Put a happy face on it, always.
Always look on the bright side of life.
We all have so much to be thankful for
Why, oh why, do we tend to focus on the negative.

The negative may be a dead-end but at least it is not
The only choice we have.
We make our own choices and we own those choices.
I accept those choices, good and bad, however I
Now allow myself to put a happy face on it.

A Rebirth, A Rising Opportunity

Jesus said to Lazarus, "Take off the grave clothes." You have been reborn. (John 11:43)

A new opportunity has been given to me after decades of prayers.
A new life free from the shame of childhood, adulthood and midlife.
The extra burdens that I have carried with me will be exorcized.
Many of my demons will free me from their bondage.
I will be a new man. A man determined to live and love.

Restrictions

30 years of adult living, a good life, has caught up with me now.
100 pounds of extra weight (and shame) to carry through life.
It is now time to add the governor and stop the madness.
Out of control eating and drinking must stop.
Discipline must replace hedonism.
Love of self must replace sadness and anger.
My love for myself is strong.
My will to live, healthy, will prevail.

Brothers and Men

It has always been a good thing to have a brother or two.
When you need them most, you must pull them forward.
Brothers are men that have their own lives distracting them.
And men will be men when it comes to emotional support.
Men need men and brothers need brothers.
I love my brothers. I need my brothers.
Younger or older, we brothers need each other.
Our very survival depends on brotherly love.
Give me some love, my brother.
A hug, a smile, a call or maybe just a notice once in a while ?

The View from Where I Sit

I have one of the most intriguing views
I love to watch my wife.
I watch when she does not see me watching
I adore her from close and a far.
She is so beautiful that I am in awe
Her beauty halts me at times
As the best view from my perspective.

If I Die ...

If I Die ...

I want to be remembered by beautiful flowers.
I want people to stop and admire me.
I want those I have loved to reflect with flowers.

Plant flowers in my honor and make them colorful.
Plant flowers in my favorite places around the world.
Plant flowers so I am not forgotten.

Lap Band Eve

51 years old
6 feet 2 inches tall
307 pounds
14 size feet
18 1/2 inch neck
44 inch waist

Where will we be in one year ?

Maybe we will look more like my brother ?

Five Year Anniversary

FIVE YEARS OF MARRIAGE TO MY BEST FRIEND

WHAT MORE COULD ONE ASK FOR ...

THAN ANOTHER 30 YEARS TOGETHER

WITH THE LOVE OF MY LIFE !!!

Family Tunes

Watching my sons play piano is a father's gift.
Playing tunes from memory
Analyzing music from the ears to the keys.
Carlie and Reese in black and white
Family tunes filling the house
Caressing our hearts.

Whatsoever

Whatsoever things are true
Whatsoever things are honest
Whatsoever things are just
Whatsoever things are pure
Whatsoever things are lovely
Whatsoever things are good

I know that I have loved you

The best I ever could

Bobblehead

"Bobblehead"
"Punkin'head"
"Sweet Cherry Pie"

Whatever you want to call me is fine with me.
Your nicknames for me are sweet and filled with affection.
I will always answer to anything your dream up

Even though other people may wonder, why ?
You have a style and a charm that makes me,
Your boo

I love you.

Golf Together

We have so much fun together.
We find enjoyment in most things we do together.
We have made golf our favorite sport.
We watch golf on t.v. together although a golf nap is best.

BCRA-2 Mutation

BCRA-2 Mutation
Wow, what a year we have had together.
Who would have thought my wife was a mutant ?

You are one of the most courageous people I have ever known.
You have faced your diagnosis and made extremely difficult choices.
You have removed the possibility of cancer from your life.

This year we have both made significant, life changing decisions
That will hopefully ensure our lives are extended and full of enjoyment.
One of our greatest assets is each other.

Here is to a long life together filled with golf and celebrations.

We Three

I remember when we were three
We three had our adventures
We survived our childhoods
We stuck together
We slowly grew up to become
Three men

I remember when we became four
We four had our challenges
We survived and thrived together
We have always loved by example.
We quickly melded to become
One family

You are Love

Everything thing you do for us, I appreciate.
You always amaze me with your vision and execution.
You are love.

Everyday I celebrate because you enrich my life.
You are talented, beautiful and a joy to be married.
You are loved.

Everytime I wake up next to you I smile.
You comfort me and you complete me.
We are loved.

I Have Learned ...

I may not be the fastest runner but my endurance and inner drive will always carry me over the long haul. I believe in sacrifice. I believe in quiet confidence. I am not afraid of competition. I am a gracious loser and a gracious winner. I have never forgotten what I was taught as a child and I have never forgotten to be generous to my family, friends and those less fortunate than me.

I am an above average athlete. I can play any sport including those unfamiliar to me. I love to downhill ski. I love to play basketball. I love to play tennis. I have tremendous potential when it comes to playing golf (left handed).

From an early age, I remember wanting to be a champion of the oppressed or those without a voice. I have learned that a college education (and an advanced degree in an area of passion) is a wonderful experience. Education is the great equalizer in our society. Through education, anyone can become anything they wish to pursue. I believe in creating one’s opportunities combined with determination, creativity and a bit of “being at the right place at the right time.” I love to teach and I have been granted the gift of passion and articulation.

Joseph Campbell told me to “follow my bliss”, I listened and my life was changed forever. I have never failed when I have “trusted my gut”. When I ignore my” inner voice”, I have fallen hard. However, when I fall I have found the strength to pick myself up and walk forward with my head up and my resolve in tack.

I love to travel. I love wonderful hotels, down pillows and down comforters with Egyptian cotton sheets (the higher the thread count the better). Dinner is my favorite meal. Excellent food, excellent wine and excellent conversations inspire me. When I am not traveling, I love to curl up on the couch with a good book or a good movie or a good cup of tea. I love to wake up early and work in quiet by acknowledging my creative writing skills – there are plenty of times when creativity seems to have left me and the struggle to write is heavy.

Billy and Vincent

Life has a strange way of making us see “things” we may have never wanted to see or were just too unaware or too unprepared to accept. My life has been an adventure and for the most part, it has been an enjoyable ride. I have tried to learn from my mistakes.

I have tried to be kind to people and expect the same from other people. I hold doors for women as well as men. I give up my seat to women and handicapped people. I engage strangers with at least the common courtesy of a smile if not words of encouragement. I look people in the eyes when I speak to them. I never judge a book by its cover so I may be given the same courtesy by strangers alike.

I teach my children to respect themselves and to challenge mediocrity. I believe in quality over quantity, if I had to choose. A day does not go by that I do not miss my boys. I call them daily and tell them I love them. I have faith that my love for them will overcome anything. Life is too short to have regrets and I try to live each day to its fullest. I still cry at good movies and when I hug the ones I love.

My life presents numerous challenges and many rewards. I still believe in honesty, integrity and faith. I can laugh at myself just as easily as I can make others laugh out loud. My sense of humor has kept me alive and helped me to not take life so seriously especially when I try, at times, to be perfect. Perfection is unattainable so I have learned to settle for above average but never for mediocrity.

I welcome people into my life with open arms. I believe people are brought into our lives for very specific reasons and at times we do not truly understand their purpose. However, if we are open to the experience we may grow as individuals and come away with new understandings and insights on the world.

I Am Someone

who laughs at himself
who does not try to be perfect and asks, “who is bob?”
who does not try to impress, persuade or control
who knows how to just BE
who takes the wrong subway, with a smile
who accepts the good with the bad
who is centered, peaceful and quiet
who celebrates life everyday
who takes time to smell the flowers
who gets lost
who does not make promises that he cannot keep
who takes the time to see the birds
who sees the sunlight illuminating the leaves of a tree
who is confident yet reserved
who is REAL everyday to a fault
who is sincere, generous and kind
who is honest, faithful, spiritual and TRUE
who realizes he is no better or no worse than everyone else trying to get by each day
who takes care of himself, everyday, physically, emotionally and spiritually
who is open and honest with his wife, children, family and friends
who respects other people’s feelings, fears, boundaries and their love
who reflects upon his life with honesty, curiosity and wonderment
who learns from his mistakes and confronts his addictions with courage
who takes time to know himself and appreciate his time to himself
who forgives himself and those who he perceives have injured him
who loves unconditionally with conviction, honesty and confidence
who appreciates what he has lost and everything he has to gain through TRUTH
who exhibits no need to control situations and people
who owns his choices as Bob’s choices and openly accepts any consequences
who understands the TRUTH is much easier and HONEST than a LIE
who can slow down, explore, and live everyday to its fullest without regrets

Water is Life

I have always loved the water.
Pools, oceans, tubs and glasses
Water has always made me feel safe
Underwater, I could feel free
Free from an abusive childhood
Free from a shamed early adulthood
Free to take control of my life and
In mid life have the courage to live
Water almost took my life but now
Water is life and I live in joy
Water soothes me and clams me
Water is life and I am alive

Friends and other Fathers

There are friends and then there are friends who are fathers.
Born in the shadow of your own father
We emerge to cast light upon the lives of our children
We manage to break the chain of custody from father to father
We stand, alone at times, peering into the unknown future
Praying that we have loved enough and received enough love
We, Fathers are not alone but members of a bond
That seals us as friends and other fathers

My Children are the Mirror of Me

Father's Day means that Fathers
Get to surround Themselves
With their children and their wife.

My wife is the love of my life
My children are the mirrors of me
Hopefully, the best with more to come.

Fathers and Sons, Sons and Fathers
The connection is solid with unspoken
Respect and admiration and awe.

The love my sons and wife give to me
Is the greatest blessing I could ever
Receive and return to them ten fold.

Communicating with Those Who Will Listen

I was once told that I should listen twice as much as I speak.
We were designed with two ears and one mouth for a reason.
Communicating with those who will listen
Is a gift that we all must learn.

We communicate very well most of the time.
When we have a disconnect, we are patient.
We are kind. We listen. We love.
We have worked diligently to be good listeners.

My father once ran for a local political office when I was a kid.
His campaign slogan was, "Listen. Hear. Now"
I have never forgotten his mantra
Though, at times, I say too much

I constantly try communicating with those who will listen.

Seeing is Forgetting

"Seeing is Forgetting the Name of the Thing One Sees"

- Robert Irwin

From Here to There

Standing here and looking there,
I wonder how do we get from here to there

The process and the effort are calculated
While the actual results depend one's perspective

Following one's Bliss will keep one focused
The goal will be achieved with you holding my hand

Which You Have Given

Which You Have Given to Me

You have given to me your love
You have given to me your trust
You have given to me honesty
You have given to me support
You have given to me boundaries

Boundaries that have saved my life
Boundaries that have taught me sanity
Boundaries that have made me focus
Boundaries that do not restrict
Boundaries that define who I am

Which You Have Given to Me

I give my loyalty to you without hesitation

You Three Complete Me

You Three Complete Me
You Three Make Us Four Better
Us Four Are Very Blessed
We Have Each Other
We Have A Family

A New Perspective

There are times when my perspective seems accurate.
However, you have taught me a new perspective.
Things are not always what they appear to be, most of the time.
We may "see" the same thing but what is our perspectives.
You have opened my eyes to a beautiful truth,
A truth that have escaped me for most of my adult life.

A truth, that is sometimes hard to look at, but the truth nonetheless.

The truth that true love does heal the heart and save the soul.

You are my angel that has made me see what has caused me pain and now has healed me.

You Wear That Fine Hat So Well

The architecture of a fine hat.
You wear that fine hat so well.
The fine hat captures your beauty quite nicely.
Framed against the City skyline,
You wear that fine hat so well.

Boy(s) How They Grow Up Fast

I remember the day they were born.
Minutes apart from each other.
Best friends then and now.

I remember the day we got married.
Minutes of anticipation leading up to the "I Do".
Best friends, forever.

The four of us have been a wonderful family unit.
Atypical, untraditional but pure love and adoration.
We made it work then and it continues to work, day by day.

Pants d'Art

We can create art anywhere and at anytime.
We can be juvenile or adult in our presentation.
Art surrounds us and art defines us.
We need art in our lives and we need to be creative.

The Veil of the City

The City we live in is the City we love.
Memories of our times together.
Happy memories, many memories.
A remarkable skyline.
A wonderful marriage.
You and me.
So happy together.

Our Patron Saints

"Our Father Who Art in Heaven"

Now, I understand where my calling to the "arts" came from at such an early age.
There is art in Heaven. Classrooms for all mediums. Pottery wheels for everyone.
I was indoctrinated with the saints and I keep a few close by in my adult times of need.
Our patron saints who watch over us and receive our daily prayers.
We need our patron saints, we need a connection to that which we do not completely understand.
I need a hedge, that religion may provide, in my times of desperation.
I need faith to encourage me and ensure to me that life has meaning.
My children and my wife are protected by our patron saints because they told me so ...

Roadrunner

Travel by train
Travel by car
Travel by plane
Travel by boat
Travel a pied

Travel is a means by which we get from point A to point B

Morning Reflections

The morning sun was shine through and reflecting back the shadows of the trees.

I saw this beautiful composition and I immediately thought of You.

You are my morning light.

You are my guiding light.

I love you to the Core.

Tomorrow cannot come soon enough.

Sleep well tonight, sweet dreams, and may your morning light be angelic.





Do Not Wire

"Do Not Wire"

Do Not Follow The Instructions
Do Whatever You Want To Do
If Anything Happens,
It Will Never Be Your Fault

"Do Not Wire"

Do Follow The Instructions
Do Be Responsible for Your Actions
Do Remember
You Are Responsible for You

"Don Not Wire"

He Wanted Her

She wanted a surger for her birthday.
She wanted a sewing cabinet for her surger and her sewing machine.
She wanted to set up her sewing cabinet in the gallery.

For his birthday, He wanted a custom, handmade jacket for his fraternal golf club.
He wanted her to make make the jacket for him.
He wanted a wearable work of art created by his wife.

The Heights of Love

I love my wife.
My wife loves me.
She is the pillar that stabilizes me and our family.
My wife is encouragement personified.
She helps me open my eyes, open my mind and open my heart.

Roma Darci

When in Roma ...
Darci in Roma
We had a wonderful visit to a romantic city
Balloons welcomed the goddess, Darci

Beauty on the Landscape

The beauty of architecture on the landscape, created by Frank Lloyd Wright, and mirrored in the beauty of my wife.
My wife is a gorgeous woman.
The facade is obviously beautiful to gaze upon while the core is her hearth where we all can feel safe and protected.
Brick by brick, hand built according to the architect's plans.
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
I love what I see.
I love where I live.
I live with you.

Two is Always Better than One

Two is always better than one.
Identical twins to double the pleasure.
Boys developing into young men.
You are like sponges, soaking up information.
Hopefully, we are inspiring you two.
We love you and adore your growth and maturation.

Life is a Beach

Winter is so much more bearable in Hawaii.

Waikiki, Why Not ?

Why ?
Waikiki
Why not ?
I am with my wife and we are celebrating life.
We are best friends.
We love life.
I love my wife.

Waikiki

We have made it to Waikiki Beach.
One week in the sun with our sons.
Relaxation
The four of us together, at last, sharing wonderful memories.
We are very fortunate to have each other.
We are a family of four.

Say It with Balloons

Say it with balloons
Up in the sky for all to see.
Shout out the name of the one you love.
Say it with balloons.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart

Today, we celebrate your birthday.
Today, we celebrate our relationship.

You are so beautiful and I so love you.
You have grown older but you are still young at heart.

We share the same zodiac sign.
We add our birthdays together and they equal our wedding day.

I smile as I type these words because
You have made me extremely happy.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart.
I love you.

We Have Grown Up Together

When I look at you from years past, I think of how young we all were.
We have grown up together.
Our lives were changing.
We hung out but we had no course.
We did the best we could, at the time, but look at us now.
You two have helped me grow up.
We three have made the best of our childhoods.
Our future as men provides new beginnings.

The "Specific" Ocean

I never witnessed a sunset over the Pacific Ocean that I did not stop and reflect on how beautiful life truly is ...
From a young ages, my boys could not pronounce "pacific ocean".
They called it the "specific ocean".
The "specific ocean" was where there Dad traveled for work and a place they desired to see.
The Pacific Ocean was a specific memory for them and a place where they could be with their father.
A memory. A safe place. A common bond they had with their Dad.