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Tuesday, October 19, 2010

An Award and a Passage


versatile blogger award


It's taken me a few days, but I finally am ready to accept the Versatile Blogger award, given to me by Ivy at Spinning Lovely Days. Versatile is a nice word for "unfocused," "all over the map," etc. But at this point in my life, I embrace my versatility! Thank you, Ivy.

I'm supposed to:
Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.
Share 7 things about yourself.
Pass the award to other bloggers who you think deserve it.
Be sure to let the bloggers know you chose them to receive the award.

I'm going to put my four recipients first, and then proceed to the second part of this post, and item #2.

Recipient 1: Dennis the Vizsla, and his dada. Not only are they versatile, but, heck, I would give them an award just to get into the Sunday Awards and Meme Show (if Dennis gets back from his other dimension in time).
Recipient 2: Rose, at What I Made Today, because she is truly versatile! She draws, and cans food, and makes mysterious "stuff."
Recipient 3: John, who writes Some Assembly Required. He is a photographer, web designer, Dalmatian lover and nurturer, and collector of interesting watches.
Recipient 4: Kwattro. I've recently become acquainted with him in the Adgetize forum. He collects a variety of things, and blogs about some of them at A Day in a Zoider's World. With such diverse interests, he must be versatile.

Seven Things You May Not Know About Me
1. I am wearing pajamas with flying cows on them!
2. I am wa-a-a-a-ay over-extended. OK, you already knew that
3. I am in the #1 spot at Shared Reviews right now!
4. I'm a Jeopardy! Junkie.
5. I not only hate pink, it makes me nervous.
6. I'm bored with thinking up new things about me.
7. We used to take in foster kids- see Part 2

Part 2 - A Passage

versatile blogger awardI saw in the paper today where a man we know has died. Actually, he was one of the teens we had on foster care (not "our Sam"), way back when. Doesn't he have sort of a lost puppy look? Maybe if we'd met him when he was younger that sweet boy could have been found and saved. As it was, he stayed with us for two years and was "difficult." I always said that if he didn't end up getting arrested for attempted murder I would consider our efforts a success. But, eventually he was arrested for just that...

But now, as we all will, he has gone on to face the hereafter. The paper gave no indication of what happened. Here's a poem I wrote about him in 1975.


A Prayer for Sam

Jesus:
Sam came back today from spending
Christmas vacation with his Mom.
He was arrogant.
Spiteful,
Smart-mouthed,
But not quite hateful.
(Did he know how much I fear him?)

When I told him at the dinner table
That he didn’t need to be so nasty,
His eyes filled and
Brimmed with
Hate – but
Then faded to scorn.
(Did he see the hate in me?)

Later on he asked if I would make a flag
That he needed for a class at school.
I answered him,
“I’ll help
You.” “All right,”
He agreed, reluctantly.
(Did he feel me search for words?)

We cut it out together, just a
White flag with a red cross.
“I can’t do it right.”
He was angry,
Shame-faced.
“Sure you can, “ I said.
(Did he sense I wasn’t sure?)

He sewed it slowly, but at last
The flag was finished, ready to hand in.
Unsteady,
Impatient,
Beautiful – then
“Thanks for helping.”
(Did he see Your love through me?)




12 comments:

Lin said...

Oh, Sharky, that is so sad! I love your poem today--it really conveyed your love for him.

It is very sad and scary to see a child so messed up and know that you cannot help him. I surely hope that he didn't harm anyone else in his struggle with life. I'm really sorry to hear that he passed and even more sorry that things didn't turn around for him.

At least you know that you gave him a few years of love and he had that once in his life.

Secondary Roads said...

I can only try to imagine what you must have gone through.

The Oceanside Animals said...

hello maggie its dennis the vizsla dog hay thank yoo for this award!!! also dada sez yore story reminds him a littel bit abowt a kid that he and mama had as a littel brother for a wile menny menny yeerz ago sumtimes he wunders wot ever happend to that boy!!! ok bye

John Sealander said...

Thanks for "The Versatile Blogger" award. I think this is the first blog award I've won. If there was a "Loyal Reader" award, you would certainly get it from me. I enjoy your daily comments on my blog. After three hundred days of blabbing about myself, I'm not sure there are still seven things people don't already know about me. I'll give it a try though.

Ann said...

Knowing how difficult it can be to deal with one of your own children at times I can't imagine having the patience to deal with a foster child. I'm so sorry that Sam could not have had a better life but at least for a short while he had you in it. Very nice poem.

Congrats on that award and the blogs you chose to pass it on to sound very interesting. I'll be checking them all out later on

spinninglovelydays said...

That's such sad news to learn about. My mom experienced something similar when she found out that one of her former Sunday School students grew up to be a criminal and died exchanging gunfire with the police. I think your poem is very honest and touching.

Sharkbytes said...

Lin- Thanks. He was the toughest foster kid we had, I think, because he was SO full of hate. (Until we got our own Josh- somehow, though, we did get through to him.) Sam was just too far gone before he came to us.

Chuck- There were days that he seemed to really be open to accept love, but his anger was too deep.

Dennis- we often have wonders, like your dada. Some stories we know, others we don't

John- struggle! You can find some.

Ann- I look back and haven't a clue how we did it. Grace of God, for sure.

Ivy- we worked with kids who had been in serious trouble, a lot. It could be rewarding. It was always challenging. I had more energy back then, and a lot more optimism.

John Lottery said...

I'm lost for words.

My God reward you for trying and caring; and for especially sharing your inner feelings with us during these difficult times.

RNSANE said...

Shark, how sad about this young man with whom you once shared your home. I am sure it meant a great deal to him, whether or not he was able to convey this to you. Your poem certainly shows how much you cared!

rose AKA Walk in the Woods - she/her said...

Thank you so much - I am humbled and honored, even though my blog is an "award free" blog. :)
♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡

Sharkbytes said...

John- I don't know where we found the energy- well, I do... but it was a challenge!

Carmen- we've always hoped so...

Rose- no problem... at least you know I like your blog!

sir rob said...

That was a very sad poem and full of emotions. Deep strong feelings that somehow made me realize how can I bring-up my 4 month old son to be a good citizen. And would I be a good father and provider to them?

I used to be expressing my feeling before though poems too. I'm not sure if I can write one again. It has been a long time since the last poem I've written.