Features 2000

Ode to a father at 70 years old

 ... not much spare time for household projects 

by Jim Driscoll Children

On The Occasion Of His Seventieth Birthday (November 20, 1994)


'twas the night before his birthday
and all through the family,
everyone was whispering,
"Could Dad really be seventy?"

Why, doesn't he get out
every Tuesday on the links?
With Bob, Dave And Sam --
He's the best--or so he thinks!

He's off to the Y and
regularly to the gym(?)
However, we have heard,
sometimes he just swims!

Well, how could it be that
seventy years have slipped by?
His wife, for sure, still
looks exactly like his Bride!

But, sometimes there has been
certain hints to show his age
Let's review a few of these
memories, page by page....

Six Saint Mary's grads
in blue and also plaid.
White shirts needing ironing,
please, say,"It's just a fad!"

And haircuts, you say
Are they short? Are they neat?
Now Jim has his scissors -
This'll surely be no treat!

The Library - the Y - the Beach
and also to the Zoo.
To the Airport and on the T,
if it was free, we'd be there too.

And what is there to eat, Dad?
We're here without our Mother.
It was no surprise to us that
it was chocolate milk and peanut butter.

Or pancakes, of course,
light as a feather they're made.
We'd better eat them all -
Or there'll be hell to pay.

Or who could forget,
while raking leaves one year
that Dad's new eye glasses
would suddenly disappear?

With a diligent Driscoll search,
the glasses were found...
Safe within the leaves,
all tied-up and bound!

And, he is The Master,
but you could be fooled.
How could he sleep and review
your homework due at school?

He's so clever and sneaky, it's true.
When Sheila and Cliff were engaged
and also in that very same year
when Colleen and Scott joined the Stage.

Why Jim showed no fear.
Our Daddy could always cope
He took Scott aside, saying,
"Would you two, please, just elope!"

Dad was so full of tricks when he'd decided
we all play Poker - we were all so delighted.
He taught us The Basics and
you were certainly no beginner
when you recognized the hands,
and Papa was always the winner.

Six Melrose High grads,
double sessions with no
Gymnastics nor Swimming.
How could that be so?

Now the one half dozen
would multiply like crazy.
With boyfriends and girlfriends,
then the weddings and the babies.

But we are now grown folks
with stories of our own.
We cling to all the memories of
life with Mom and Dad at home.

So, we hope your birthday, Dad,
has been a whole lot of fun!
Because on our list, you are The
Father and Grandfather - NUMBER ONE!!

Love,

Jeff            Sheila    
Colleen         Jack
Gail            Julie


October 6, 2000


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