The Soul of a Child

I had a phone call this morning from a dear friend, delightedly announcing the birth of her first grandchild.  I have a bit of a cold, a remnant, I think, of my European vacation, so I won't go yet to see the new addition to the family but I made a card out of a poem I wrote a few years back.  On my morning rounds at the hospital, I always stopped by the newborn nursery ( a huge place at San Francisco General Hospital ) and gazed in awe at its precious inhabitants.  They were the inspiration for this poem.  The baby in the picture is my son, Alex, now 27-years-old, 6'4" tall, and soon to be married.  I didn't have any other baby pictures handy so I hope he will forgive me for using his.

The Soul of a Child

I gaze through nursery windows,
At babes so newly born,
Tightly wrapped in pink and blue,
Stocking caps their heads adorn.

Their needs right now are simple,
They know not yet of strife,
I pray it will remain this way,
Throughout all of their life.

I hope they never suffer,
And wish them food and love,
And, most of all I wish for them,
God's bounty from above.

I hope these babies will succeed,
And the angels will have smiled,
Every step along the way,
Upon the soul of every child.

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c) 2007 by Carmen Henesy
All rights reserved. 

Eyes

I have been a bit lazy since my return from Europe! My photos have been downloaded but aren't edited and I have slowly been unpacking. I'm catching up on my blog reading and checking in with my boys. My oldest son is still away on his Air Force reserves trip to Turkey - he left the day after I did and I have yet to hear a word from him but he is due back tomorrow. I hope he got some time to enjoy his environs as they did on last year's two week jaunt to Germany. My youngest is away for the weekend at his alma mater, Cal Poly, and my middle son, Alex, is at home in Sacramento, a hundred miles away. The house is quiet and I'm kind of lonesome.

I haven't left the house since my return home on Thursday evening! I was browsing through some of my poetry, written in the past, and came across this poem and thought I would share it with you. It was written for someone special in my life.

Eyes

I see the world within your eyes,

There is such beauty there,

Exotic places that you've been,

Reflected in your stare.

I see canals of Venice,

Beneath a summer moon,

And almost hear a gondolier,

Sing an operatic tune.

Those eyes reflect your spirit,

For adventure, far afield,

And deep within their depths,

Your mysteries are revealed.

I see the sights of India,

Bright saris flecked with gold,

The splendor of the Taj Mahal,

Incredible to behold.

Your eyes show such emotion,

Sometimes filled with tears,

At others, reflecting passion,

With a heat that slowly sears.

Your eyes are so hypnotic,

They hold me in their spell,

Within their limpid pools,

My captured spirit dwells.

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c) 2007 by Carmen Henesy

All rights reserved.

Back to the U.S.A.

Back to the USA

I've traveled all about this world,

And seen sights most sublime,

The marble towers of the Taj,

Set my watch by Big Ben's time.

I stood in awe at the Acropolis,

Drank wines throughout Bordeaux,

Sailed past the Sydney Opera House,

Played black jack in Monaco.

I've watched a Barbados sunset,

Rode the Star Ferry in Hong Kong,

I've seen exotic Balinese dancers,

Heard Bangkok temple bells gong.

I marveled at David in Florence,

Prayed at a mosque in Brunei,

Danced tango in Buenos Aires,

Sampled samosas in far Mumbai.

Yet, no matter where I travel,

And how far afield I roam,

It feels good to return to America,

The best country of  all - my home.

Carmen Henesy

Copyright © 2005 Carmen Henesy.

All Rights Reserved

I arrived home from Barcelona late yesterday - one suitcase remained behind me at Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris...not sure why but Air France has promised to deliver it today.  I didn't care, really.  My business class flight was spectacular - the food absolutely incredible and no words can describe the wonderful wines.  There is definitely something to be said for hoarding one's frequent flyer miles for years for one last big splurge on a round trip business class journey that allows you to sleep, fully stretched out, and totally pampered, which is what I did on this 65th birthday adventure.  Over the next few days, I will download the photos though I don't think I took all that many.  Most were just of me and my friends since I have been several times to these spots.  

I was surprised at just how much I missed reading everyone's blogs and at writing.  I am new to the blogging world but one quickly becomes addicted!

The poem above was written back in 2005 but I always think about it when I return home.  No matter how joyous the journey, it is always nice to sleep in one's own bed again!

Writing From Roma

Well, here I am in the eternal city and, while two of my friends are trekking through the Vatican Museums and the Sistene Chapel, I am sitting here in an internet shop, catching up on email and relaxing.  I decided to forego the crowds and lines of tourists since I was here last year and spent hours strolling leisurely with two friends, taking it all in stride.  We had a wonderful day at the Vatican, looked at beautiful art, and endured several days of neck pain from craning to look at Michelangelo°s ( sorry, I can°t seem to find the apostrophe on this Italian computer! ) beautiful Sistene Chapel - all the while being told to "shush" by stern women whenever we uttered a sound!  I just didn°t feel up to going it again in the middle of a crowded tour group, hence my friends are off and I am at a Roman computer! 

I had a joyous flight here in KLM business class on a 747.  I thought they had made a mistake and put me in first class as the seats were unbelievable.  They reclined totally so that I was able to sleep completely stretched out - now, that is definitely the way to do a transatlantic flight!  I had an unbelievable meal, a choice of champagne, three white wines, two reds, port with my cheese and countless cocktails...okay, I had a glass of champage, two glasses of a nice French wine, a fabulous filet mignon and port with my cheese.  I slept a full five hours, with no trouble at all.  I will fly business class on Air France on the way home.  Let us see how they compare with KLM...then it is back to poverty class for all my travels!

The Hotel Napoleon, a small property I discovered last year, thanks to Trip Advisor, is delightful and I was warmly welcomed like a returning dignitary.  Last night, was their weekly wine tasting hour in which  hotel manager, Roberto Cioci, presides and all the hotel management attend.  It is a delightful event and the gods of air travel prevailed and made sure my flight was not delayed and I arrived in time to attend.  I was so surprised when someone came up to me and asked, "Are you Carmen Henesy?"  It seems she had seen me writing on cruise critic.com and was booked into the Hotel Napoleon on my recommendation.  She is also sailing on the Navigator with us tomorrow.  The internet truly makes for a small world.

Tonight, we are off to Orso 80 for dinner, a wonderful place I discovered last year, thanks to a sales person at the Rome Harley Davidson store!  We looked it up on Trip Advisor and it came highly recommended by a number of people.  I also wrote my own review after eating there.  I thought my friends would like it so that was all arranged before I left San Fancisco.

Tomorrow, about 9AM, we will head for Civetivecchia, about 90 minutes from Rome where we board the Navigator of the Seas for six days.  My next communication will be from on board the ship.  Forgive any typos, etc - this computer speaks Italian and I do not!!   Arrivaderci for now!

Clothes

All I can say, is it's a good thing my flight doesn't leave till 3:10PM this afternoon.  I have been up since 7AM yesterday and I am still far from being through packing for my birthday trip to Europe!  I've tried on everything and am not happy with my wardrobe.  Actually, it's my body, I would like to exchange!  Oh, well, too late for that now - even though I have lost fifteen pounds in the last six weeks, it's not enough to make a major difference.  I will just have to keep at it - though Rome, a cruise and Barcelona will certainly tempt me from adhering to my diet.  I am determined to try to keep things in check so so that I don't have to start from scratch when I get home.

I found this poem I wrote awhile back which is going through my mind this morning.  I'll probably not blog every single day while I'm away but I'll check in from time to time to let you know what's happening on my journey.

Clothes

I'm a girl of big proportions,

So I hate to shop at all,

The clothes they make to fit me,

Are the worst things in the mall.

In my youth, I was quite different,

Slim and quite the girl,

I wore the cutest outfits,

Which gave the guys a whirl!

Now I look for baggy clothes,

That hide my ample frame,

I can't wear stylish outfits,

So I hang my head in shame.

I look at sexy lingerie,

And think of way back when,

When Victoria had no secret,

I was really thin.

My sons encourage exercise,

And tell me not to eat,

They say that if I listen,

One day I'll see my feet!

Now I shop for earrings,

Since whether thin or fat,

They will always fit me,

Thank my lucky stars for that!

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c) 2007 by Carmen Henesy

All rights reserved.

Only Six Months to Go

In May 2010, my sojourn as the only female in this testosterone laden family will draw to a close.  My fortunate middle son, Alex, has chosen a lovely girl, Laura Winterhalter, with whom to share his life.  I could not be happier.  She is a dream - thoughtful, caring, bright.  They've known each other for about five years - met in college when both were studying to be firefighters.  She is now working as a paramedic and both recently took a written exam for the San Francisco Fire Department.  They already bought their first home and adopted a granddog for me, a pitbull, against my protests.  I argued about that particular breed and, for every article I sent, they sent an article refuting my protests.  Taffy, the year-old female they rescued from the Yolo County animal shelter is a shy, sweet dog who has captured my heart.  When I am in Sacramento to see them, she even snuggles with me at night!

Laura and my son, Alex

This is my first "granddog", Taffy...not at all a ferocious pitbull

Recently, Laura went shopping for her wedding dress and invited me to go along with her mom and maid of honor on the shopping expedition.  "Since you have three boys, I'm not sure you will have that opportunity."  I was so touched and honored to be included and, just like her mother, my eyes were filled with tears as she tried on gown after gown, looking radiant and beautiful in each one.

 Mandy ( left ), maid of honor, and Laura, as we celebrate successful dress shopping

Me with Christine, Laura's mother - we hit it off right from the start - she is a nurse, too

I have two other sons so there is even a possibility that I might acquire two more daughters-in-law to help even out the unbalanced male to female ratio in our  household.  If the other boys choose as well as Alex did, our family has got it made!

My other granddog, Bucky

 My oldest son, Shawn Smith....38, with no marriage prospects yet!!!

Jeremy, my soon-to-be 25-year-old. before and after his haircut

He also has a lovely girlfriend!!

 

Give In

Give In

Give in? Who says?
Hold fast to what is right!
Treasure those ideals.
Don't give up without a fight.

There are always those who try,
To take the easy route,
But I will still maintain,
That's not what life's about.

Don't give in to deceit,
To betrayal of your friends,
Remain true to yourself -
No need to make amends!

Sometimes it takes an effort,
To stay on the right path,
Especially if some we know,
Are venting so much wrath.

Give in? Not this girl!
I love a good crusade.
And I truly do believe,
A difference can be made.

Carmen Henesy

 Copyright (c) 2007 by Carmen Henesy
All rights reserved. 

Romantic Nights

Romantic Nights

It matters not the setting,

Be there sparkling stars or rain,

Ginger ale in paper cups,

Or vintage French champagne.

We can don black tie and finery,

Or wear country western gear,

What makes a night romantic,

Is the fact that you are here!

We may waltz to violins,

Or jitterbug till feet are sore,

Or simply watch a late night movie,

It's time together we adore.

We love hot dogs at a ballpark,

Or gourmet fare in gay Paree,

Any spot can be romantic,

If it's part of you and me!

Carmen Henesy
Copyright © 2009 Carmen Henesy. All Rights Reserved.