So today my dad turned ninety! That's pretty good going for a man who throws caution to the wind with alarming regularity. My dad has been around since Phar Lap was a foal. And like Phar Lap, he has a big heart and is made of tough stuff. Those of you who've read his memoir will realise it's a miracle he even survived his childhood. Being married for fifty-five years to a wonderful woman, and with an ever expanding family who think the world of him, I'd say, like Phar Lap, he's a winner.
Most of the immediate family went around to his house this morning to help him celebrate and wish him well, but being so close to Christmas, it's not the best time for a big shin dig. Lucky my forward thinking auntie suggested we have a surprise 90th birthday party for him at the Turner family reunion in October so he could truly celebrate in style. Which he did!
Dad put pen to paper (not an easy feat for a man with no education) and wrote a poem for his mother's 100th birthday. I didn't want to wait that long to write one for him, especially considering his fondness for ladders. Happy 90th Birthday, Dad!!
A Rylstone Lad
Now that you’re ninety it’s time for a poem,
It’s only right you have one of your own.
Ninety good years is a reason to shout.
It’s not a bad effort for a Rylstone lout.
To live a long life is something quite great,
Considering you should have died at eight,
From cow kicks and falls and fooling about,
Head knocks and gunshots and many a clout.
Some call you lucky but I think you’re blessed,
The life that you’ve lived has put to the test,
The angels that guard you; they’re kept on their toes.
You’re a menace to safety wherever you go.
Your misadventures are now being read
By hundreds of people who all shake their heads,
When they read of your antics, and then wonder how,
A man such as you has survived until now.
But here you are, still larger than life,
With a loving family and a wonderful wife.
For a man to reach ninety with no regrets,
Proud of his life, that’s as good as it gets.
There have been tough times this is quite true,
You don’t get to ninety without having a few.
But you’re always laughing, a smile on your face,
You come out a winner by God’s loving grace.
It’s been a long time since you were a lad,
So much has changed for good and for bad.
But you’ve never altered the person you are,
A fair dinkum fella and the best dad by far.
A ratbag, a larrikin, a good Aussie bloke,
Who’s always worked hard and is fond of a joke.
You’ve made it to ninety, and that’s not so bad,
A pretty good innings for a Rylstone lad.
Jacqui Halpin
Most of the immediate family went around to his house this morning to help him celebrate and wish him well, but being so close to Christmas, it's not the best time for a big shin dig. Lucky my forward thinking auntie suggested we have a surprise 90th birthday party for him at the Turner family reunion in October so he could truly celebrate in style. Which he did!
Dad put pen to paper (not an easy feat for a man with no education) and wrote a poem for his mother's 100th birthday. I didn't want to wait that long to write one for him, especially considering his fondness for ladders. Happy 90th Birthday, Dad!!
A Rylstone Lad
Now that you’re ninety it’s time for a poem,
It’s only right you have one of your own.
Ninety good years is a reason to shout.
It’s not a bad effort for a Rylstone lout.
To live a long life is something quite great,
Considering you should have died at eight,
From cow kicks and falls and fooling about,
Head knocks and gunshots and many a clout.
Some call you lucky but I think you’re blessed,
The life that you’ve lived has put to the test,
The angels that guard you; they’re kept on their toes.
You’re a menace to safety wherever you go.
Your misadventures are now being read
By hundreds of people who all shake their heads,
When they read of your antics, and then wonder how,
A man such as you has survived until now.
But here you are, still larger than life,
With a loving family and a wonderful wife.
For a man to reach ninety with no regrets,
Proud of his life, that’s as good as it gets.
There have been tough times this is quite true,
You don’t get to ninety without having a few.
But you’re always laughing, a smile on your face,
You come out a winner by God’s loving grace.
It’s been a long time since you were a lad,
So much has changed for good and for bad.
But you’ve never altered the person you are,
A fair dinkum fella and the best dad by far.
A ratbag, a larrikin, a good Aussie bloke,
Who’s always worked hard and is fond of a joke.
You’ve made it to ninety, and that’s not so bad,
A pretty good innings for a Rylstone lad.
Jacqui Halpin
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