Lou Tate was a man I won't soon forget
He had a wry smile and a sarcastic wit
If you told him one joke, he'd tell you two
Then he'd tell one more ripper before he was through

No one who knew him knew quite the same man
You might say that Lou didn't follow a plan
He knew how to have fun for most any reason
Then climb into the houseboat no matter the season

At work those who knew him would say without doubt
That getting things done was what Lou was about
When it seemed that a problem just couldn't be solved
It was precisely when Lou became hyper involved

Though most solutions were unorthodox
The bulk of his thinking was outside the box
Although his ideas weren't always well known
His name's on the first patented multi-line phone

Lou was once quite the loner...not easy to catch
But he knew that in Mary Ann he'd met his match
Then he suffered a stroke and it gave him a scare
It was then that he recognized how much she cared

When they both said "I do" with or without wealth
Till death they united in sickness and health
Their unbreakable bond would make others see
What steadfast devotion to one's spouse should be.

Pursuing ardent fervor
Lured toward peaceful obscurity
Beckoning.  
Outstretched.
Vulnerable
Freedom's abandon
Enticingly treacherous
Elusive assurance

You carry the burdens for those who are weak
There's beauty in the way you walk

You give a strong voice to the small and the meek
There's beauty in the way you talk

You show love and compassion for those that do seek
There's beauty in the way you see

You know that I'm hurting before I can speak
There's beauty in your love for me

I love you mom ❤

As a mother, I can only hope
My children will attest
That I gave them everything I had
And truly did my best

I strive to teach them how to love
And be kind to every people
That good behavior's not reserved
For buildings with a steeple

To look beyond themselves to see
That there's a bigger picture
That everyone fits in as part
Of God's great architecture

Sometimes I wonder who they are
When patience, they are trying
And other times, they make me laugh
So hard that I start crying

Holly is a shining star
She's happy when pretending
That she's a queen, or movie star
Her characters unending

Casie's like a precious jewel
A diamond in the rough
An impish minx until you've
Had enough and call her bluff

I'm not quite sure why I was blessed
To be their friend and mother
But, it's a joy like none I've known
An honor like no other.

unwelcome resident

   methodical thief
    
        stealing health

            leaving victims

                 silently suffering

                      I
                        N
    ­                       V
                              I
                               ­ S
                                  I
                          ­          B
                                       L
                                         E

                                          A
                  ­                        F
                                       ­   F
                                          L
                ­                          I
                                     ­     C
                                          T
              ­                            I
                                   ­      O
                                         N

                  struggling to shoulder

                     optimism's burden

                       while future taps

                       an impatient foot

Precious Pet
Dependable Dog
Compassionate Canine
Spaniel Psychologist

Famished Friend
Hungry Hoover
Loves Leftovers
Greedy Gulper

Boisterous Barker
Wonderful Watchdog
Always Alert
Champion Chaser

Every Evening
Bedside Buddy
Doggie Dreamer
Sweetly Sleeps