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As a child I'd listen with rapt interest as my father told us stories of his adventures.

A Rylstone Lad Turns Ninety

12/22/2016

8 Comments

 
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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

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8 Comments
guest Karen Tyrrell link
12/23/2016 12:24:38 pm

Happy birthday Jack!
Congrats Jacqui,
on the great tribute you've written about him.
PS Just loved your poem, you're a girl of many talents!!
Hope you both have a lovely Christmas,
Cheers Karen.
PPS See you on 28 Jan

Reply
Jacqui Halpin
12/23/2016 01:04:36 pm

Thank you so much, Karen! :)

Reply
Marlene Crocker
1/9/2017 06:02:49 pm

Hello Jacqui,

What a wonderful poem, you obviously have the Turner gift for poetry and story telling.

Looking forward to visiting you sometime this year.

Reply
Jacqui Halpin
1/9/2017 09:43:50 pm

Thank you, Marlene :)

Reply
Helen Crocker
1/10/2017 02:05:48 pm

What a wonderful poem Jacqui

Reply
Jacqui Halpin
1/11/2017 01:37:37 am

Thanks, Helen :)

Reply
Dan Hatton
4/1/2017 02:51:57 am

Congratulations Jack and Jacqui on a wonderful book. I bought mine from the Cottage Museum at Rylstone a couple of months ago and only found time to read it over the past couple of days. I can't believe Jack lived to tell so many tales after some of the incidents described in the book. Jack is distant relative of mine through the TURNERs. My great great grandmother was Matilda Turner who was a sister of Henry Turner, Jack's grandfather. Well done!

Reply
Jacqui Halpin
4/2/2017 10:16:13 pm

Thanks for getting in touch, Dan. So glad you enjoyed the book. Dad was delighted to hear you are related. :)

Reply



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