In one town known as Nornie
in another known as Chuck
Born a banker’s son
Pop had some lady luck

In his early ‘Nornie’ years
Dad earned a respected recognition
Elected High School Prom King
befitting his debonair disposition

Soon after senior high
and a brief stint at state college
Nornie joined the US Navy,
seeking different forms of knowledge

On the Battleship New Jersey and
fearing the ‘Corny Nornie’ jeers
Charles Norman became just ‘Chuck’
During these Korean War years

The Jersey docked at global ports
often out of harm's way
Chuck treasured the distant travels
while combat continued far away

After Chuck’s Navy tour,
he learned the barbershop trade
Socializing with his customers while
mastering clippers and sharp blade shave

Bought a two bedroom home
with his new wife and soon family of six
Fitting and feeding all these hearts at home
took some home remodel and gardening tricks

This is when life was rich
but life’s lessions soon got quite tough
The camping, fishing, and summer swims
were all quite family fine
but then schizophrenia
robbed parts of Pop’s mind

We still stayed close
even after my folks split up
But the journey got rockier
and then we were all grown up.

All during these later days
Dad remained a humble loving man
I hope the I can replicate
his greatest gifts in my lifespan

Now it’s been a few years
since Dad passed away
I wished my kids had met Pop
Before his cognitive decay

I love you Dad
I miss you Pop
I love you Nornie
I miss you Chuck
And if you’re playing 500 Rummy in heaven,
I wish you some sailors luck

Was out gardening this afternoon and reminiscing past times helping my Dad with his garden. A couple of years ago searching through my Dads memorabilia, I found this poem called “The Sailor‘s Prayer” for which I thought fitting to share…

“Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
Grant no other sailor take
my shoes and socks before I wake.

Lord grant me in my slumber
and keep my hammock on its number,
May no clews or lashings break
and let me down before I wake.

Keep me safely in thy sight
and grant no fire drill tonight
and in the morning let me wake
breathing scents of sirloin steak.

God protect me in my dreams
and make this better than it seems.
Grant that time may swiftly fly
when myself shall rest on high.

In a snowy feather bed
where I long to rest my head,
far away from all these scenes
and from the smell of half-done beans.

Take me back into the land
where they don't scrub down with sand.
Where no demon typhoon blows
and where the women wash the clothes.

God thou knowest all my woes,
feed me in my dying throes.
Take me back, I‘ll promise then,
never to leave home again.”

RIP Chuck 👨‍🌾🏡💈⛵️🎣🏕️❤️🕊️🕯️🙏🏼 7/16/1932 .. 2/8/2020