Son-Father Talk

Son-Father Talk
By John R. Greenwood

My son and grandson 

Grassy conversation with dad is time well spent, fleeting time, time you pack away for decades then pull out to quench your thirst. Son and father discuss the proper way to peel the bark from a maple stick.These moments Hallmark in feel, heartfelt in sincerity define fatherhood and life itself. They calm and sooth the harshness of the world. Snippets of summer so brief you can’t divide between real and imagined. What ingrains a photograph so deeply it never leaves? How does the texture of a cool lawn surround us in a blanket of memory? Why is this scene so scarce today? Let’s adjust our priorities to days where simple pleasures smother sensationalism. Fathers and sons, cool grass and a loose-bark stick make for magical conversation and summers that last a lifetime. 

Discussing The Future

Discussing The Future

By John R. Greenwood

We sat relaxed in the green grass of optimism, discussing the future of our children, as it has been done for centuries. 

What lies ahead we ask? 

I see smiles and laughter, friends, no foes. I look ahead, way beyond and see those friends gathered in fields of dreams, sharing ideas and stories for the next wave of family. The future is all we have, the past just a memory. Look up, not down. Stare down naysayers and sloths who threaten peace and joy. Wave them off like a telemarketer’s sales pitch. Grasp your vision early and run for all your worth. Jump chasms and quicksand-arms who reach out to pull you down. Shrug off clouds of negativity and let warm July showers wash away uncertainty. Live life like you're in charge, don’t sit at the curb waiting for the paycheck that will never arrive. Be safe in your steps but step briskly. Linger too long and the snakes of doubt may curl around your ankles and pull you to the ground. Chin up, standing arrow-straight, move forward into the future and with every rounded corner reach out with tolerance and love for those who line your path.

I see the future as bright as day. 

There is no other way, you see. 

Easter Story

Easter Story

By John R. Greenwood

Silly tales make smiles emerge, softly in the tuck of an arm, and bubble sounds like sprinkled sugar upon warm pastry please a one boy crowd. I collect these simple moments so fleeting, like July fireflies, jarred up and set upon a bedroom sill. A little ones first Easter nourishes me like April rain a flower’s bed. I smile in return and squeeze tight the love staring back at me. 

Floor Joy

Floor Joy
By John R. Greenwood

Floor-joy-minutes sooth all pain from the inside out. There is no sunshine whose rays could warm the heart with such connection and calm. A bundle of boy, playful and curious, sitting baby level with the father of his. This scene pulls to the surface a reminder of the days when I would lay eye to eye with my own sons, Matchbox and coloring books scattered across the room of living and life. Time escaped somewhere when my back was turned, only to return with the sound of a babbling baby telling his tales of discovery. My breathing, reduced to a snails pace, turns the moment into a slow-motion movie. 

Child of Wonder

Child of Wonder

By John R. Greenwood

Child of wonder, observe without prejudice the world as it opens before your eyes and ears. 

See things as they are, not as they appear. 

Listen carefully to those who are care-full. 

Be cautious in a fearless way. 

Steer clear of the common lane. 

Walk briskly on quiet days and quietly on brisk days. 

Be kind when others are angry with ignorance and be angry when kindness is absent from the crowd. 

Lift spirits with your humor and send them off smiling inside and out. 

The world is yours, believe in it. 

Refuse defeat and embrace uncertainty. 

Most of all, remain a child of wonder, always a child with eyes wide open. 

Once Upon A Time

Once Upon A Time
By John R. Greenwood

"Grandpa," the little one said, "What kind of world lies ahead? What can you tell me about my future." Tough questions little one but I have answers that might surprise you.

Once upon a time the world went crazy. When it did I backed up and hid behind a tree. I watched as people ran themselves ragged. They wanted more and more and then they ran aground. I swore on that day it would be different for me. I cranked down the dial and made the decision to breath deep and deliberate. I vowed to never follow the masses, never clamor for more than I need. The gift of gold upon my knee is all the joy I'll ever need. That is my happiness. Yours is baked in tomorrow's sunrise.

Here is what I see for you my little man with big boy dreams. I see magic carpet rides and sails upon a deep blue sea. I see endless walks down paths lined with dear friends and loving family. I see climbs to mountains high where the view of the world widens and ignites your spirit. I see opportunity and wonder. I  see happiness beyond your wildest imagination. I see warm puppies jumping their cute puppy jumps entertaining you until laughing tears flood your happy cheeks. I hear your mother singing softly some sweet private song no one else will ever hear. I hear your father speaking patient words of encouragement that will morph into a lifetime of nonjudgmental pats on the back and rides to the park. I see dancing fish and singing frogs playfully teasing you to come out and join them. I see diverse friendships that meld into rivers of optimism overflowing their banks. I see negativity as an unknown player who never makes the team. Your days will explode with creative fervor and your night skies will glow from full moon smiles and starstruck grins. Most of all my little man in you I see goodness. It radiates from those sparkling eyes. It will surround you and protect you always. You will spread that goodness with every wish you make for others, with every step you take for you...

Child Of Mine

Child Of Mine
By John R. Greenwood

A son, a son, and a mother

Child of mine so gentle with your own son held close and dear. Give all the love you have to give. The years will wander quickly. Time refuses to linger and wait. Grasp each moment as if it were leaving in the morning. Don't think about, 'What if's'. Live your life in, 'Why Not's'. Saturate your child with open doors of self expression and pats on the back. Encourage and enrich the spirit of the boy who shares our blood. Nurture kindness and charity in his soul. He will thrive in the world before him and beyond. Provide time of quiet and reflection. Every moment need not be filled with noise and movement. These are times to re-energize and grow--as individuals and as a family. Three of hearts and happiness, arm in arm, hand in hand, traveling down the path together. Love this life before you all. Don't listen to the nonsense that fills the airwaves. Listen to each other. Listen close, and often. Speak only to say, "I love you," or "What do you think?" Leave anger at the curb. Lead by example. Learn something new as you go. It's never to late to learn from this journey. I have learned to share whats inside. You never know who's listening. Most importantly know that as parents you will never know a joy so deep as the joy you hold before you in this photograph. 

Here is another tribute to sons.

Baby Day Chapter #1

Baby Day

Chapter #1

Most Photogenic Shower Gift

 What better prompt to get back to writing than to have another boy born into our family. Our latest baby day actually began yesterday afternoon when my youngest son called my wife and I to let us know they were beginning to time contractions and that they would call when he and my daughter-in-law were heading to the hospital. It’s been several years since our oldest son had his second of two boys so we’ve been out of the baby loop for quite awhile. It’s always a happy time and a nervous time too. The suspense of the boy/girl outcome is now a, “Do you remember when?” memory. I have to admit, as nice as it is to be able to plan ahead, I am sorry to see that happen. There is no greater thrill than hearing the words, “It’s a boy!” or “It’s a girl!” announced by the doctor as he delivers your newest family member into the world. My wife and I have enjoyed the excitement of, “It’s a boy!” twice. I like it the old school way. But, like everything else in the world things change, even diapers, so we must too. 

My grandson decided to wait out the night. He must have wanted to start out on the right foot by exhausting his parents from the very beginning. Long sleepless nights are a parents job and my grandson already made it clear he was not going to be an exception to the rule. 

The silence was broken this morning when my wife received a text saying that things were progressing quickly and it was just a matter of time. I was provided with cat feeding instructions by my son and after I completed the mission we planned to head to the hospital. 

"Barley" 

I probably shouldn’t have, but I took the liberty of giving my son’s cat Barley a heads up that things in his life were about to change drastically. He was soon to lose top-cat status to a crying baby. The silence of his days home alone were in jeopardy. Along with several new noises would come a wide array of smells. There were sure to be more people coming and going, wiping their feet on his sun-soaked rug and whispering little baby sounds to the new cooing creature under the soft blue blanket. I didn’t sugar coat it, I told the truth. The cat pretended to be indifferent about my warning. He flipped his tail a few times as if to say, “I’m not scared.” We’ll see my furry little friend, we’ll see.