Bob's Blog

Even though he lives in another State away from me
There has never been anyone so close to me like he.
I have not been able to put a finger on just why
But like a trusted friend or even sometimes like a big fruit fly,
He keeps hanging around, and never seems too far away.

Funny in all our years together and all our shared experiences and jokes;
Frank has been my rock, my Oak
My Brother, in good times and in bad; for no one could quite provoke
When I needed a laugh, or a even a big music hall.
He’s been my truest friend, apparently in it for the long haul.

I miss you Frank!

Robert Collazo, 1/14/11

It’s only now that I can write about this
For the pain was too great.
We all know we can stop the hate
Yet we keep doing away with ourselves at such a high rate.

We all know we are better than this.
So why must there be horrible tragedies for us to come together?
Did those folks realize it was their last day?
And will this pain that we feel ever go away?

Let us pray for those families that lost loved ones.

Robert Collazo, 1/12/11

My first day retired started with a “to-do” list, of what I had planned to do;
From going to the groceries to cleaning the garage, and other stuff just so;
Still no one watching or caring what got done, so felt like I had no woe, you know.
Oh, I mustn’t forget to cook my stew and make my bread dough, though.

Now it seems pretty clear, even with all the stuff I planned around the house,
That retiring, after all these years, was the right thing to do.
For to have no stress; no daily grind with a hundred calls to check into
Is really good; and I’m really imagining all sorts of good things will now ensue.

So now if you ask my point of view,
I will tell you clearly. with no hullabaloo,
And, please don’t misconstrue
That retiring, for me, was way overdue!

Robert Collazo, 1/3/11

As I have mentioned countless times, I am very blessed to have many true friends.  Well, on Wednesday, of this week, one of my dear friends left me a poem on my desk that he had written for me.  I was very moved by it; and I consider it a real honor for me to share it here on my site.

To my author friend, Joe Alcazar – first of all, I didn’t know you were a poet; secondly, I thank-you so much for thinking so highly of me. – Robert Collazo, 12/31/10

=========================================================

A TRAVELER

The sun shines its warmth everyone knows
And oh how refreshing a cool breeze will feel
Some days are so gloomy, so cold and so hard
And life’s many maladies will make us ask why?
On the voyage of life many roads are traversed.

I don’t know the answer to all of life’s woes
But I know there’s a key that satisfies most of all
If all would just learn it, what a life it could be
Alas not all travelers have been able to see
All the beauty and splendor there is to enjoy
Life is a wonder; isn’t it so?

But the greatest of gifts from the Almighty above
Is not the beauty in nature that expresses His love
For like the clouds that form figures or a mist in the night
So many pass by without leaving a mark
Once in a while, so rare I’m afraid
Comes a traveler that reaches right into your heart.

This impression stays with you even though they depart
For such is the character of one called a friend
A companion that only sees what’s your very best
A friend that is born for a time when there’s need
Such a gift I have been blessed to know
The friendship of Robert will continue to grow.

Though with sadness to many, Collazo will go
The voyage of life will march on without fail
The twilight of life brings these changes I know
But reflecting on friends brings a smile and a glow
It’s not goodbye forever just a farewell for now
For the sun shines all days wherever he goes.

Your Friend,
Joe Alcazar, 12/29/10

The maternal head of the Collazo family is no longer with us.
She was my Dad’s only sister;
The oldest, and the only girl of eleven children,
Trine grew up in a big family with all boys,
Their home was always filled with love and the best kind of happy noise.

I recall how Cousin Jesse and I used to joke about her special “UPI” reporter status;
Because she knew all the news going on with our large extended family.
All through the years, She always made me feel special, and I loved her.
I will smile a little bit tonight watching the bright evening star
For I will know that Tia Trine is not in pain anymore, and is dancing with her husband, Oscar.

Robert Collazo Jr., 12/26/10; Tia = Spanish word for Aunt

‘Tis the day before Christ’s birth;
There is the sweet smell of turkey baking, and light rain coming softly down.
Sweet Marie and I are enjoying our Son and Lauren
All sharing one more Christmas Eve, and peace on earth in our old hometown.

Many thoughts running in my head, many worries untold;
So many questions; for what exactly will our new life hold?
Retiring after one more week; selling the old house & moving soon.
Nevertheless, I’m thankful for all of life’s gifts; as we start a big, beautiful, brand-new moon.

Robert Collazo, 12/24/10

Merry Christmas everyone!

Working for the USDA for 32 years
Has been a privilege and an honor.
Now like an old Alma Mater,
Sweet memories I hold.
All I can say it was the people there
That made it so special, and no other place can quite compare.

Now there is not enough space and time,
To list all my friends here fourfold.
Starting from the folks now in my life, back to many years ago.
You all have stuck to me like glue and have been there
Through the good times and bad; so to me, you are like gold.
Many thanks to you all for the sweet, dear memories that I will forever hold.

Robert Collazo,  12/18/10

P. S. Thanks for all the great farewell wishes, party dinners, party luncheons, thoughtful cards, phone calls, and gift cards from my USDA/FSIS family all over the country…I really appreciated it.  Please keep in touch!  Robert

It was so good to hear from a dear friend today.
But when she told me of Greg, her significant other, that was going to Afghanistan for a year,
I felt so apprehensive and with much dismay.
Somehow didn’t have the heart to let her know about my last blog post and my fear.

We spoke of the dangers there,
But she said it’s something that he had been wanting to do, and wasn’t just a whim.
We discussed that if you really love someone,
Then how could she possibly stop him?

For you see, the rest of the story is that Greg, who is a USDA veterinarian,
Had volunteered to go, for he’s been wanting to give back
To help out the people of Afghanistan,
Which was his basic plan of attack.

Told her we would pray for her Greg,
A shinning example of the best of our personnel.
Felt no sense worrying her anymore over something we couldn’t control,
Thought I’d just leave it to God, for we’d pray for him, and Greg would surely stay well.

Greg, stay safe, and wishing you Godspeed back to the one that loves you!

Robert Collazo, 12/8/10

A fellow San Antonian, and an Honor student at JFK High
Jorge was a proud JFK Rocket playing football in his green and white.
He joined the Marines the next year whereby
He worked hard to rise up to corporal with the speed of light;
Where his inner strength and character you could not deny.

Stationed in Afghanistan with his 3rd Battalion troupe,
He was known for settling disputes with his close-knit group.
On his last patrol near the Kajaki Dam,
Jorge stepped on an IED and died.
He gave his life for all of us; for our freedom, for his Uncle Sam.

People have said those explicit photos
Like those depicting him killed on the battlefield
That we should keep them away from the public eye, and we should not show.
If we do that, how then will our kids know what the price of freedom is?
Let’s remember our brother Jorge who is now watching over us with the Lord with sweet aglow.

Lance Cpl. Bryant Whalen says goodbye on the battlefield to his friend, Cpl. Jorge Villarreal, after Villarreal stepped on an improvised explosive device Oct. 17 and died near the Kajaki Dam in Helmand province, Afghanistan. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Here’s an image of Villarreal still alive with his buddies. It was taken before the patrol began.

Cpls. Kevin Ivie, Sam Garcia, Jorge Villarreal and Jonathan Eckert, all of India Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, prepare to head out for a patrol from Forward Operating Base Zeebrugge on Oct. 17. Villarreal died on the patrol after stepping on an IED. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Let’s keep Jorge in our hearts!

Semper Fi, Marine!!

Robert Collazo, 12/03/10

It was a cold day when my Son, Robert, received Beta, a young chihuahua pup, as a gift many years ago.
A bit of a pain and very temperamental to my wife and I, but she provided Robert enormous joy.
I recall the days when Beta sat on my lap, and provided warmth like a good worn blanket in those early days.
Back then, she could hear very well, but still would not listen to you and would run off down the street in a craze.
You knew for sure that she had a mind of her own.

Well, the seasons and the years have come and gone like the wind.
Beta lost her hearing sometime back, but still had a mind of her own.
Almost 18 years to the day she was born, she is gone now.
Beta provided Robert companionship, not to mention stress relief, and an immeasurable amount of love in her own way.
Certainly, no words can describe that and the unquestionable loyalty that she provided since that cold, long ago day.

So sorry about Beta, Son! We’ll miss her too!

Robert Collazo, 11/21/10