New Year's Thoughts - From a Seventy-Year-Old! - December 30, 2014

I've just been reminiscing,

About great New Year's past,

I would dance the night away,

And have a merry blast!

I'd party hearty with my friends,

Raise my voice in "Old Lang Syne,"

And join the happy, rowdy bunch,

In a midnight conga line!

I'd wear a slinky, sparkly dress,

And heels, the six-inch kind,

And cleavage showing far too much,

Sexy BUT refined!

I'd see the New Year's sunrise,

Not ready yet for sleep,

And resolutions weren't for me,

Promises I'd never keep!

I'm lucky now to be awake,

When the New Year saunters in,

One martini and I'm asleep,

Much to my chagrin.

I'd love to find a partner,

To hold me while we dance,

He'd need strong arms and back,

Forget about romance!

I keep my cleavage covered,

Saggy boobs are best that way,

I do admit to vanity,

In covering up my gray!

I make one resolution,

To try to keep life fun,

To cherish those I've grown to love,

Till my New Year's days are done.

None of us can know, for sure,

When our sojourn here will end,

I'm grateful for God's gifts to me,

For each and every friend.

I wish my lovely family,

And friends both far and near,

Health, love and happiness,

In the coming year.

Carmen Henesy

December 30, 2014

Copyright Carmen M Henesy, December 30, 2014

"R" Is For Reminiscing - August 18, 2011 - Alphabe Thursday

I don't know what's the reason,

Perhaps it's change that's in the air,

But I'm feeling somewhat nostaligic,

And a sense of loss is everywhere.

Life as I've always known it,

Soon will meet a rousing end,

And I cling to certain memories,

Remembered joys, a special friend.

I sift through a thousand photos,

Holding close good times I had,

Somehow, it helps diminish thoughts,

Of any memories that were bad.

I am busy packing boxes,

Sorting out my cherished things,

Each coveted treasure that I wrap,

With it, a memory brings.

I hear the laughter of my boys,

Tumbling about in play,

That any glassware survived at all,

Is a mystery to this day!

Soon, I fly away to India,

Six months away from home,

I'm excited about this adventure,

Yet I'll be fearful, as I roam.

As one approaches seventy,

And one's body squeaks and groans,

It's harder to meet the challenges,

And face the new unknowns.

I shall manage as I've always done,

Since travel''s been good to me,

I've found the world a special place,

If you treat all with dignity.

When, once again, I find a home,

I'll have new memories to share,

I hope I can become more my old self,

And not give up in despair!

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c)August 18, 2011 by Carmen Henesy

All rights reserved.

I am participating in Jenny Matlock's Alphabe Thursday -

check out the site and join in the fun.

Alphabe Thursday - "S" is for Sad and Scared - February 17, 2011

"S" Is for Sad and Scared

I try to keep a smiling face,

To paint my eyes so merrily,

So people miss the pain inside,

And the fear that's haunting me.

For two years now, I'd hoped,

There might be some reprieve,

But the time has finally come,

It's been only me that I deceive.

I must give up my home,

Packing boxes lay about,

I'm glad it's just a rental,

Or I'd really scream and shout.

First you lose your job,

Then your home of thirteen years,

Then you're overwhelmed,

With a million different fears.

It's time I sorted things,

There is much to throw away,

What my sons consider "junk",

Means more than I can say.

Some are special treasures,

From friends beloved by me,

Others are parts of distant lands,

That I was blessed to see.

I know not where I'm going,

Only that I'll be alone,

My life will be far different,

Than I have every known.

I used to be adventurous,

And could easily switch gears,

But now that I am sixty-six,

I'm overwhelmed and full of fears.

I have so many aches and pains,

And, though I know it isn't true,

I feel like such a failure,

In all I tried to do.

I loved my work and did well,

And raised three sons alone,

But, there are times of late,

I feel I'm in a combat zone.

I've lost my "joie de vivre",

I hope it can be found,

I'm afraid I look as gloomy as,

A long eared basset hound!

I guess I will get through it,

It's just a bit more strife,

That's sent to prove my mettle,

And where I go in an after life! 

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c) Carmen Henesy

February 17, 2011

I am participting in Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday - check out the site and join in the fun!

 

Magpie Tale #27 - The End is Near - August 17, 2010

Magpie Tale #27 - The End is Near - August 17, 2010

It hurt with every breath he took,

The cottage felt so cold,

He hadn't any food to eat,

He was pathetic to behold.

His grandson tried to move him,

But he said he had to stay,

Where he'd lived for sixty years,

And had joy in every day.

He didn't mind rusty water,

From plumbing beyond repair,

And even in his solitude,

He never felt despair.

He said it was temporary,

He knew the end was near,

Here, he had his memories,

Of all that he held dear.

When they came to check on him,

In just a little while,

With his wedding picture in his hand,

He lay dead and wore a smile.

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c) 2010 by Carmen Henesy

All rights reserved

Last Weekend in Georgia

My two youngest sons, Alex and Jeremy, flew to Atlanta last weekend to see their grandmother. I think they were fearful, if they did not, they might not see her again alive. Alex ( 27 ) brought his lovely fiance, Laura, and Jeremy ( 25 ) brought his girlfriend, Katie. Neither of them had ever met the boy's grandmother before. For me, after two weeks of dealing with my mother's stroke and cardiac problem, it meant a great deal to have them there. I picked them up at the airport, then we stopped by the extended care facility to see my mother. She seemed to recognize her grandsons but she was so tired, we did not stay long. We then drove down to Columbus where the children ( hard to call two strapping 6'4" boys "children" ) helped me finish dismantling things at my mother's house. The following day, when my brother came down with a rental truck, they loaded up furniture and we said farewell to my home town and headed back to Atlanta.

On Sunday, we returned to Gwinnett Extended Care and Grandma seemed in better spirits. She actually called her grandsons by name and responded to their banter and talked about the "pretty girls" with them. Laura showed "Grandma" her engagement ring which actually had belonged to my mother. It was all a very emotional time for me. We took pictures, of course, and, all too soon, it was time to take them to the airport.

The following day, when I visited my mother, she said, "You know, Carmen, Alex and Jeremy came yesterday with their pretty girls. It made me happy."

Since that time, my mother has had more bad days than good. The day I left to return to San Francisco, I could not even wake her up to say goodbye. At least, though, I know she is in the best place she can be and, a few times, she did know who I was and called me by name. It makes me feel good that that the visit of her grandsons afforded her some happiness.

Alex, Jeremy, Carmen and Mary Quinlan

Jeremy, Katie, and Grandma

Laura, Alex and Grandma

My boys and their girls, Laura and Katie, my brother, Charley, and his wife, Susan, my crazy nephew, Matt, who never takes a picture without making a face, and his girlfriend, Stephanie

Laura, Alex ( wearing his shirt I got at the Piazza Navonna in Rome ), Jeremy and Katie

Growing Older

This is lovingly dedicated to all of my dear friends who are entering the "older generation" and who can relate to this poem!

Growing Older

I gaze at my bathroom mirror,

And looking back at me,

Are the telltale signs of wrinkles,

And gray hair, their company.

My knees ache when it’s rainy,

And I toss and turn at night,

And clothes that used to fit me,

Have become a little tight!

I may be a bit forgetful,

That’s what my children say,
But I don’t think it’s quite as bad,

As the stories they portray!

I can’t really howl in laughter,

Or my Depends will overflow,

Heck, that can even happen,

When I give my nose a blow!

I used to dance the night away,

But I can’t do that at all,

I’m lucky to manage one pirouette,

Without leaning on a wall.

I sag a bit and need a lift,

But I can’t afford those fees,

Plastic surgeons are overpriced,

Their ads are such a tease!

I’ll just fade into the sunset,

With my other older friends,

We’ll laugh and toast each other,

Until our lifelong journey ends.

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c) 2009 by Carmen Henesy

All rights reserved.