The world felt like we were standing still
Looking out our windshield at the dry, hot desert in New Mexico.
Barren landscapes, and far away beautiful mesas help me imagine
What it was like in the days of old.
How the first settlers made it through;
Or better yet, our Native Americans, the Navajo, Apache, or maybe Sioux.
Wondering now makes me think of how it was back then;
With many of their stories never told.
Celebrating and dancing with big gatherings at night around a big fire all aglow;
In these same lands, I can almost hear the chants and smell the smoke.
After their great hunts in beautiful magnificent plateaus;
These vivid thoughts evoke.
Robert Collazo, Jr., 7/7/11
Today, Lauren and Rob, you’ve just begun.
For today, you’ve become truly one.
Together, your lives will never be the same,
For you know the love you have for each other is like a big, bright flame.
Remember that some days may be bad, some days may be rosy;
Hopefully most will have plenty of hugs and be warm and cozy.
Remember not to go to bed mad at each other at the end of the day,
Then your love will never be taken away.
This love will enrich your lives and warm you when you are cold;
But only together, in love’s protective fold, will you both survive.
May this flame, this precious love, nourish you both, and never die;
Keeping you together forever and ever, all the days of your lives.
With much love,
Your Dad,
Robert Collazo, 6/25/11
Many years ago, when life seemed slow,
Alex and I worked side by side, and the work was hard.
For years, spending hours driving to work together, we got to know each other fairly well;
However, I do not believe we knew what we wanted out of life back then.
We just hoped to earn a steady living, but who could have foretold our paths on the road of life?
A hard working federal employee and big Union President,
Alex fought tirelessly for the hard-working, lower-rank person
To correct things that were not right, and to ensure everyone’s rights were assured.
It was easy for management in dealing with him; they knew with him where they stood.
Because Alex did not do things just for his constituents, but for everyone’s common good.
Alex, I recall our indoctrination into the USDA many years ago;
But did not know back then what a good man that you would turn out to be.
Why did we lose touch with each other along the way?
All I can say is that for a brief time our lives entwined;
I am proud to have known you, and for your path to have crossed mine.
My condolences to Annie and Patty…
Robert Collazo, Jr. 5/28/11
Remembering years ago in ’72
When my Baby Doll and I said “I do”,
We were so young and happy;
But at times life’s knocks struck hard.
However, as they say, love conquers all.
So, like a committed couple, we persevered.
Through the years, we have worked hard to conquer life’s bitter storms;
Cherishing great moments when we could, and resolving bitter squalls.
Very fortunate to still have my Baby Doll by my side;
For we’ve had great times along the way,
Always telling ourselves that someday it would be foretold
That life, at retirement, would be gold.
Well we retired last year,
And today is our 39th anniversary!
The “Love of my Life” has made life’s bumps bearable and sweet.
We are so happy, and our lives now feel fully complete.
Through all the years, my wife has been my steady, steadfast ship.
Her voice has been sweet music to my ears.
She has been my inspiration, my guide; my shining, beautiful moonlight;
I hope that at least I’ve been her “Froggy Prince” or maybe even her shining White Knight.
Amor de mi vida – Happy Anniversary!
Con puro carino…te quiero mucho…
Robert Collazo, Jr. 5/27/11
At 24 years old, Peter was an Olympic ski jumper, and was really good;
But fled Slovenia because he was expected to fight for the German army.
He made a small fortune, as an inventor, even before the war ended;
Then patented a weaving machine designed for use by disabled folks,
Which were many; and made 100,000 Swiss francs from it.
After WWII ended, Peter invented a perfume atomizer spray
That is still in use today;
As well as more than 400 patents; but not all turned up well
Including his plastic zipper which melted when ironed;
Not knowing it would be a hit if he would have just used metal.
In 1998, Peter Florjancic finally returned home to Slovenia,
Thinking he would return back home to die.
But at 92, is still very active and still going strong.
His inventions are still winning awards and accolades;
And has never been sick lifelong.
Robert Collazo, 4/14/11
This is dedicated to my Slovenian-descended friend, Rudy; hope you are well!!
Recalling back during hot summers as a kid,
We had no computers, Facebook, IPADs or caller-ID.
My brothers and I would all play baseball all day, on 38th Street.
Thinking now about those times, life was sweet and gas was cheap.
Very special memories I have during those times was when we’d all go
Camping to Gardner State Park in a campsite filled with a bunch of Collazos;
Grilling, and playing ball with my parents, brothers, Uncles/Aunts, and Cousins twofold;
It was real family gold.
Robert Collazo, 4/13/11
Six years ago, little Julia came to be.
Today, she is so full of life, and surely no one can erase
Her spirit, her beautiful laughter, her outlook on life.
Who would have known back then that this new addition to the family tree
Would make Nina’s life so rewarding, so complete;
Her miracle called Julia, is like a beautiful pearl, found beneath the deep blue sea.
Robert Collazo, 3/25/11
Happy Birthday, Julia! From your Great-Uncle Bob
Oh Buttercup, how we loved you.
The sweetest and most gentle, kindest dog we have ever known
She would lick you to death, and had a pure heart of gold that we could never outgrow.
We will miss you so.
Oh Buttercup, we know how you missed Beta terribly.
Now you are with her
Playing like two brand-new pups together in doggy heaven.
But we will still be here missing you so…
Robert Collazo, 3/21/11
One of the things my brothers and I have been trying to do
Is get my Mom into the computer age so to follow through
More than her just playing games and checking email.
Now, I realized there weren’t any computers while she was growing up
But sure she could this, and certain in the end it would be worth it, and she would prevail.
My Mom, God bless her heart, I love her.
But you get her on a computer,
Pretty soon she’s clicking on any links that gets in the way of her mouse
Never dreaming that soon she is on some unknown clearing house
On the other side of the planet.
But wouldn’t it be nice, I thought, if she could see
All her kids, grand-kids, and great-grand-kids,
Commenting, communicating with them as a Facebook devotee?
So to be ever closer to them, and to sweet reminisce;
However, never dreaming I would lock up my account for days trying this.
Nevertheless, I hatched the plan and engaged;
And finally set up her account in her name from miles away.
The reward for me was when she clicked on one of her grand-kids’ home page,
Saw photos of all her beautiful great-grand-kids,
And I could literally hear it in her voice when she came out of the stone age…
Robert Collazo, 3/20/11
Enjoy Mom!!
One of my first priorities when I retired from my day job
Was to lose some weight, and get in shape.
So Sweet Marie and I started walking; & we added it to our long list of other chore files.
We walked slowly at first, then added more minutes to our route,
Until we were pretty soon walking two miles;
Felt like my body understood; starting losing weight and feeling pretty good.
Thus we doubled our route, & I felt like maybe my fifty-nine year old body could really do this,
When suddenly in our 3rd week, like an old car motor that suddenly felt amiss,
One knee started hurting bad; and I thought, oh no, was I headed into a deep abyss?
I gave it a good shot but after a good week of walking in pain,
Like the fighter, Roberto Duran, I said “No mas!”, and feeling pretty much like a complete lame brain,
I headed to my orthopedic, with my head down, pretty sure I was at the bottom of my food chain.
My orthopedic doctor said that actually my left knee looked worse than my right one.
So why did the right one feel like it been shot with a gun?
That nature and arthritis had taken a toll on both knees from his view of the x-rays.
So with a shot to the right knee that felt all ablaze,
I counted my many blessings for God has never given me too hard a fight,
Soon I would get over this just like all my other long hard roads in life, and it would be all right.
Robert Collazo, 3/19/11
