Joel’s thoughts of Montana take him
When he’d ride horses to the lake or maybe a stream
Then with only his fly rod, he’d catch beautiful trout
With the Grand Tetons behind him, he said life felt like a dream.
His dream of that big trout that eluded him last,
Reinforces what somebody said, that life is too short.
Because, of course, the good old days are now,
So, enjoy it today, I surely support
Thinking and dreaming, we all must agree
That life should be sweeter, than some of us have now.
So, should we be wallowing in life’s hardships, and other banshees?
When we could be thinking of Montana, and all it’s beauty for all of us to see.
Robert Collazo, written on unknown date; posted 2/28/09
Seeing his weathered face now as we do,
We are reminded of a man who has survived life as best as he could.
He has withstood all; including the test of time.
However, he was once, and still is, a force to be reckoned with, let it be understood.
Now, his young great-grandkids probably do not know that their Great-grandpa had it hard growing up.
He was the seventh of eleven children, born in 1929, when times were tough.
Yet he kept his sense of humor; still growing up strong;
To survive life with all it’s blessings, which we can be sure of.
My Brothers and I can all still vividly recall so many experiences
Growing up with him in our younger days.
Dad was always the optimistic one; laughing, and joking with us.
Even when it came time for him to be the disciplinarian, he would take us into a locked bathroom, and pretend to be spanking us; to put a big front for Mom; who would later jump on both of us.
Lovingly referred to as “El Senor”, for he just turned eighty,
He is overjoyed when his Great-Grandkids come to visit each day.
Most likely, they think of him as someone who has always been old.
However, to my Mom, Brothers and I, the man will always be much younger,
Just like we recall growing up with him.
He is our Dad, our most beautiful oak, “Nuestro Oro” (our Gold).
Happy Birthday, Dad! We love you!
Robert Collazo, 02/11/09
Ed was raised as a proud and true Puerto Rican.
His Dad, very loving in his own way, taught him virtues as a kid that he be strong and kind.
So God forbid, if his manners were ever out of line.
If you know him well, you know that he is the product of two beautiful cultures intertwined.
Many folks don’t know that Ed grew up in a military family.
His Dad was the disciplinarian, and ensured that he walked the narrow and straight.
So, of course, he grew up with great morals, scruples, traits
So to be the type of man respected for his character and strength, to ensure he pass through the pearly gates.
Ed now has a loving family of his own
With his lovely wife, three daughters and a Son.
But at work, he has his cubicle, his “Man-Cave”, his zone;
Until recently, he hated to move anything there, for to him, that place is like his throne” away from home.
Robert Collazo 02/8/09; and edited on 2/10/09.
