First Birthday Without a Cowboy Poem

Maery Rose


My birthday was on Tuesday the 24th. I suppose birthdays are supposed to be a happy time but I felt kind of down. 


One of the things I’ve looked forward to on my birthdays since I found my birth family has been waiting to see what kind of card my Dad would come up with. Not to belittle the other cards I receive from people, because they are wonderful too, but my Dad wrote a kind of cowboy poetry that I always looked forward to receiving.

One of the cards he sent me said,

Happiest Birthday!
Dance like there’s nobody watching,
Love like you’ve never been hurt,
Work like your reputation in in judgment,
Live like you know there’s a hell.
Ride like there’ nobody watching,
And like you’re really expecting to win.
Don’t hold a grudge or try to get even,
I’ve done it and tried it too often,
And now I’ve learned to move on, I’m believing.
Care for the ones who don’t care
You’re better than that, and we all need a break.
Keep your word, don’t break a promise,
Your reputation, for sure, is at stake.
Rise in the morning, like the sun shining brightly.
The world won’t stop nor slow down just for you
There’s life to be lived.
Love, your other Dad

Granted, not all the lines may be original but the way he put them together and added his own words made these cards very special to me and to my brothers and sisters who received their own special birthday cards.

My Dad died last Thanksgiving from cancer. (You can read more about that in Horse Love and Genetics.) So there will be no more special birthday cards from him. Maybe just a new ritual of pulling out the old cards and rereading them. And remembering what a special place he holds in my heart.

I miss you Dad. 

Similar Posts

Life Goes A Buzzing Bye

I’m working a lot And thinking and worrying about work a lot And trying to figure out how to stop stressing about work a lot Many visits to a financial planner later Walla! There’s a retirement plan I say, “I’ll work for five more years.” “Eight would be better,” he says. “I’ll tighten my budget,”…

Hands

Hands

Not so pretty Supple and lithe A boney bump  And scar Horse accidents Gardening Snow shoveling Music These hands haveEarned their keep They loveMugs of hot coffeeCold bottles of beerAnd digging in the dirt Oh, the friends they’ve made!These hands of mine Rubber grips for opening stubborn jars And magnetic necklace clasps But they continue to…

Chicken Coop Dreams

Chicken Coop Dreams

“You used to be much more…’muchier.’ You’ve lost your muchness.” — Mad Hatter to Alice in Alice in Wonderland I watched Alice in Wonderland and it got me wondering where my muchness went. This leads to grabbing for straws. Maybe get another dog to fill the house with more of something. More life. Helping out a critter….

From My Higher Place

From My Higher Place

I cannot know what this time, this circumstance, a loss, a gain is going to mean to the entirety of my life. Why do I waste so much time resisting my circumstances instead of looking with eyes that see neither negative or positive but just go ahead and live each moment as though it is…

4 Comments

  1. Happy birthday, Mary…I’m so sorry about the loss of your dad. Especially since you only had a few years getting to know him. What a handsome man he was! You must relish being able to revisit the cards and pictures…what a gift to have had the time you did, even if it is bittersweet because it was so short. Sending lots of good thoughts your way and hoping you had a lovely day with your beautiful Java and adorable Murphy and Luke 🙂
    Sending birthday howls and whinnies,
    Sue and the gang at DVR

  2. Happy Birthday Mary. I found you through Dream Valley Ranch (Sue). Your Dad’s poem was terrific and I am so glad you found him. My last name was Olson before I got married. I will have to read back in your blog to learn more about you.

  3. Sue – Thanks for your note. I do have lots of good memories from the time we did have together.

    Lori – Glad you dropped by. I’ve taken a look at your blog and want to check it out more thoroughly. Looks like we share many similar interests.

  4. Mary,

    I was out of town for your birthday but Happy Belated Birthday. You’re lucky to have had time with your dad and to have those cards as memories.

    I lost my mom many years ago but certain events still bring me to tears from missing her. Barack Obama’s election was one of them. Who’d have expected that?

    Happy birthday!

Comments are closed.