Commentary for January 2nd, 2014: It always seem right at the beginning of a new year that many of us come to the realization more deeply what true friendship is really about. I find myself with just one friend in that category. In Don, I see me. We both adore our wife’s. We both believe that the world did not owe us a living. We are both deep in our 70’s and realize are days are greatly “numbered,” yet we try to face each day with courage. Thank you Don Ball this New Year of 2015 as to what “Friendship” really means.
With the passing of time
I have come to realize that there are truly
spaces that are never filled
by the loss of friends who were very personal
to my mind and heart.
Through the years
do the memories of Cliff and Tom
constantly come to my mind.
Never are they dead in my heart.
I see each of them
special in their concern for me
as the friends they were to me
and yes the love they rendered to me.
Have they been replaced in the void left by their absence?
No one has accomplished that.
Cliff was the short, large man from the deep South
always with a tale of lesson and advice not wanted
but when given
seemed well placed.
He spoke of home and craw-fish
his Mother and his victories in life
never of his losses.
You knew he was special
a special person to know.
The same stories he related never got old
just deeper in meaning.
The straight-laced
IBM type of guy was Tom.
He seemed to have found victories too early in his life
burning, dying as a shooting star.
An anger was present about him that could never be explained.
Tom loved a good meal and good drinks.
Save the waiter or waitress who spoke too much while serving!
He was there to savor the moment
should it be his last.
As Tom’s life was coming to an end
he maintained his pride to the last-minute in a VA hospital
wearing a blue blazer that no longer fit;
no one cared about his past.
I miss Tom’s advice to me,
his laughter at my watch
that he thought was such a great sales job
because I had to push a button
to tell time.
His loud laughter rang in the night
raising high his special drink
to wish me and all
the best of life.
I miss both of these men.
They were the special friends of a lifetime
never to be replaced.
They are in my heart each day
with the warmest of love to my dearest friends
Cliff and Tom.
Whenever you both may be
in the great wonder of it all
I am one person
who misses you both
oh……….. ever so much.
Posts Tagged ‘Health’
"Friends of a Lifetime" copyright 2005 John J. Rigo "Rainbows Amidst Storms"
Posted in "Rainbows Amidst Storms" Second Published Book, A Poet and Commentator remembers his departed friends, Friends of a Lifetime by John J. Rigo, Passed away friends are never replaced, Real Friends only come once in a Lifetime, tagged Commentary (magazine), friends, friends of a lifetime, Health, Jesus, missing our departed friends, Philosophy, relationships, remembering our friends, Texas, the meaning of real friends on January 2, 2015| Leave a Comment »
Commentary for January 2nd, 2014: It always seem right at the beginning of a new year that many of us come to the realization more deeply what true friendship is really about. I find myself with just one friend in that category. In Don, I see me. We both adore our wife’s. We both believe that the world did not owe us a living. We are both deep in our 70’s and realize are days are greatly “numbered,” yet we try to face each day with courage. Thank you Don Ball this New Year of 2015 as to what “Friendship” really means.
With the passing of time
I have come to realize that there are truly
spaces that are never filled
by the loss of friends who were very personal
to my mind and heart.
Through the years
do the memories of Cliff and Tom
constantly come to my mind.
Never are they dead in my heart.
I see each of them
special in their concern for me
as the friends they were to me
and yes the love they rendered to me.
Have they been replaced in the void left by their absence?
No one has accomplished that.
Cliff was the short, large man from the deep South
always with a tale of lesson and advice not wanted
but when given
seemed well placed.
He spoke of home and craw-fish
his Mother and his victories in life
never of his losses.
You knew he was special
a special person to know.
The same stories he related never got old
just deeper in meaning.
The straight-laced
IBM type of guy was Tom.
He seemed to have found victories too early in his life
burning, dying as a shooting star.
An anger was present about him that could never be explained.
Tom loved a good meal and good drinks.
Save the waiter or waitress who spoke too much while serving!
He was there to savor the moment
should it be his last.
As Tom’s life was coming to an end
he maintained his pride to the last-minute in a VA hospital
wearing a blue blazer that no longer fit;
no one cared about his past.
I miss Tom’s advice to me,
his laughter at my watch
that he thought was such a great sales job
because I had to push a button
to tell time.
His loud laughter rang in the night
raising high his special drink
to wish me and all
the best of life.
I miss both of these men.
They were the special friends of a lifetime
never to be replaced.
They are in my heart each day
with the warmest of love to my dearest friends
Cliff and Tom.
Whenever you both may be
in the great wonder of it all
I am one person
who misses you both
oh……….. ever so much.
"You and Me" copyright 2005 John J. Rigo "Roses Amidst Thorns"
Posted in A poem about a perfect evening, Poem, Poetry, The Perfect New Years Eve on Cedar Creek Lake in East Texas, tagged A perfect evening, A Pre New Years Day Poem for 2015, Arts, God, Health, New Year's Eve on Cedar Creek Lake in East Texas, Perfect New Year's Eve for Coming 2015, Poetry, Racing thoughts, Shopping, Texas on December 31, 2014| 3 Comments »
“A perfect New Year’s Eve” on Cedar Creek Lake in East Texas. Copyright 2014 John J. Rigo
Courtesy of bloggingprince.blogspot.com
"Hugs" copyright 2009 John J. Rigo (Revised) upcoming book "Passion Amidst Apathy"
Posted in A Major Connection in Human Relationships, Christmas Hugs A Poem about Hugs by John J. Rigo, Poetry, Texas' Poetry, The Wonder of a Hug, upcoming book "Passion Amidst Apathy", Why "Hugs" are Special this Christmas of 2014, tagged A poem by John J. Rigo a Texas' poet, Forgiveness, God, Health, Hug a friend this Christmas 2014, Hugging our Friends and Relatives this Christmas 2014, Jesus, Love, relationships, Shopping, Showing Love, Stepfamily, Texas, Why are Hugs Special this Christmas 2014, why hugs? on December 17, 2014| Leave a Comment »
There is something wonderous about a hug.
It is a way of saying,”you are special to me.”
A step beyond the boundries of formal convention.
The assurance of a heart touching a heart.
A touch of comfort to calm a grieving heart.
A cheek touching a cheek
with a kiss of greeting.
Whether a man to man
or woman to woman
or man to woman
or woman to man
there are no limits to showing
our love for another.
We are all souls in His creation
with an eternal bond between us all.
The hug is the sign of our sisterhood and brotherhood.
Let it not become forgotten in your life
it is precious honey to the wounds of this life
forever giving
forever loving
in the wonder of love
to us all.
"Friends of a Lifetime" copyright 2005 John J. Rigo "Rainbows Amidst Storms"
Posted in "Rainbows Amidst Storms" Second Published Book, A Poet and Commentator remembers his departed friends, Friends of a Lifetime by John J. Rigo, Passed away friends are never replaced, Real Friends only come once in a Lifetime, Remembering Lost Friends at Christmas time from a Texas' Poet, tagged A Christmas Poem of Lost Friends, Commentary (magazine), friends, friends of a lifetime, Health, Jesus, missing our departed friends, Philosophy, relationships, remembering our friends, Texas, the meaning of real friends on December 7, 2014| Leave a Comment »
It is the Christmas Season of 2014 here at Cedar Creek Lake in East Texas. Today, I recall my long gone friends of many years. Wherever you may both be this day, remember this is one of your friends that misses you both terribly.
With the passing of time
I have come to realize that there are truly
spaces that are never filled
by the loss of friends who were very personal
to my mind and heart.
Through the years
do the memories of Cliff and Tom
constantly come to my mind.
Never are they dead in my heart.
I see each of them
special in their concern for me
as the friends they were to me
and yes the love they rendered to me.
Have they been replaced in the void left by their absence?
No one has accomplished that.
Cliff was the short, large man from the deep South
always with a tale of lesson and advice not wanted
but when given
seemed well placed.
He spoke of home and craw-fish
his Mother and his victories in life
never of his losses.
You knew he was special
a special person to know.
The same stories he related never got old
just deeper in meaning.
The straight-laced
IBM type of guy was Tom.
He seemed to have found victories too early in his life
burning, dying as a shooting star.
An anger was present about him that could never be explained.
Tom loved a good meal and good drinks.
Save the waiter or waitress who spoke too much while serving!
He was there to savor the moment
should it be his last.
As Tom’s life was coming to an end
he maintained his pride to the last minute in a VA hospital
wearing a blue blazer that no longer fit;
no one cared about his past.
I miss Tom’s advice to me,
his laughter at my watch
that he thought was such a great sales job
because I had to push a button
to tell time.
His loud laughter rang in the night
raising high his special drink
to wish me and all
the best of life.
I miss both of these men.
They were the special friends of a lifetime
never to be replaced.
They are in my heart each day
with the warmest of love to my dearest friends
Cliff and Tom.
Whenever you both may be
in the great wonder of it all
I am one person
who misses you both
oh……….. ever so much.
“They Don’t Make Men Like Joe Anymore” copyright 2010 John J. Rigo, selection from upcoming poetry book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”
Posted in Poetry, Texas' Poetry, tagged "Seasons" in Mabank Texas, Christmas, Health, Jesus, Military, Recreation, Stepfamily, Texas, The Passing of Joe, Toys on December 6, 2014| Leave a Comment »
“Seasons” in Mabank, Texas
Commentary from December 2nd, 2013: To me, the Christmas Season is the time of year for me to remember those who have passed on that were important to my life. Following is another poem about another of those special individuals in my own life.
Joe passed away on February 12th, 2010. It was after the record snow storm of February 2010. The power went out in their home. He and is wife, Christine were moving into temporary quarters in the New Comfort Inn of Mabank, Texas when he quietly passed on. Joe would have been 81. Joe was a sweet, loving and very kind man. He loved McKinney, Texas. Whenever he spoke of McKinney his face took on a glow of peace, his childhood, his friends, his memories were many of those days in McKinney. There was a deep longing in his voice for some of those memories. Some of those memories were with extreme joy, while others seemed to carry regret. As with all of us, one could not have lived a full life without a certain amount of regret. I will miss Joe and our talks, when he sat down with us to visit at the “Seasons” restaurant in Mabank, Texas. Joe was proud of his wife Christine. Joe loved Christine with the deepest of love. I myself, only have one regret that I did not have more time to know Joe Burton even more. People like Joe are very special humans. Sadly in this day and age there are not enough special people to go around for us all."Hugs" copyright 2009 John J. Rigo (Revised) upcoming book "Passion Amidst Apathy"
Posted in A Major Connection in Human Relationships, Christmas Hugs A Poem about Hugs by John J. Rigo, Poetry, Texas' Poetry, The Wonder of a Hug, upcoming book "Passion Amidst Apathy", tagged A poem by John J. Rigo a Texas' poet, Forgiveness, God, Health, Jesus, Love, relationships, Shopping, Showing Love, Stepfamily, Texas, why hugs? on November 11, 2014| Leave a Comment »
There is something wonderous about a hug.
It is a way of saying,”you are special to me.”
A step beyond the boundries of formal convention.
The assurance of a heart touching a heart.
A touch of comfort to calm a grieving heart.
A cheek touching a cheek
with a kiss of greeting.
Whether a man to man
or woman to woman
or man to woman
or woman to man
there are no limits to showing
our love for another.
We are all souls in His creation
with an eternal bond between us all.
The hug is the sign of our sisterhood and brotherhood.
Let it not become forgotten in your life
it is precious honey to the wounds of this life
forever giving
forever loving
in the wonder of love
to us all.
"My Beloved Survivor" copyright 2009 (Possible PG13 rating) John J. Rigo, upcoming book, "Passion Amidst Apathy"
Posted in My Wife with Courage to Overcome Cancer, Overcoming Breast Cancer Twice, Poems by a Texas' Poet dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October 2014, Poetry, tagged A Poem about a Poet's wife, Breast, Cancer, Conditions and Diseases, Forgiveness, Health, Jesus, Lord, Nipple, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Overcoming Breast Cancer, Risks and Prevention, Thoracic wall, United States on October 11, 2014| 2 Comments »
Courtesy of Hubpages.com
"Chemo" copyright 2008 John J. Rigo upcoming Poetry Book, "Passion Amidst Apathy"
Posted in A Poem dealing with my Wife's Breast Cancer by John J. Rigo, Chemo, Is Chemo part of a "Get Rich Program", Overcoming Breast Cancer Twice, Poem, Poem regarding Cancer, Poetry, tagged Beauty, breast cancer, Cancer, Cancer Awareness Month in October of 2014, Dealing with Breast Cancer, Dealing with Chemo, Hair, Hair Care, Hairdresser, Health, Lord, Overcoming Breast Cancer, Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, Shopping, Two-Time Breast Cancer on October 10, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Courtesy of answersto.wordpress.com
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- “My Beloved Survivor” copyright 2009 (Possible PG13 rating) John J. Rigo, upcoming book, “Passion Amidst Apathy” (spiritfilledpoetry.wordpress.com)
“The Death of Robin Williams” copyright 2014, John J. Rigo, Commentary and poem regarding overcoming Depression.
Posted in Depression Can be Overcomed by the Grace of the Lord, Overcoming Depression, Overcoming Depression in One's Life, Poetry, Selection from "Roses Amidst Thorns" published in 2005, The Lord will lead you from Darkness, tagged A Poem regarding overcoming depression by John J. Rigo, Arts, Dealing with Depression, Depression The Unknown Killer, God, Health, Online Writing, Overcoming Depression., Poetry, Robin Williams, Romance, Texas, The Death of Robin Williams, The shocking Death of Robin Williams, Word on August 11, 2014| Leave a Comment »
The sad news of the Death of Robin Williams, picture courtesy of Google Image Search
Texas Poetry 
"Yea Through the Grace of God Go I" copyright 2005 John J. Rigo "Roses Amidst Thorns"
Posted in Battling after Holidays Depression, Depression Can be Overcomed by the Grace of the Lord, Overcoming "Depression" in 2015, Overcoming Depression, Overcoming Depression in One's Life, Poetry, Selection from "Roses Amidst Thorns" published in 2005, The Lord will lead you from Darkness, tagged A Commentary and Poem regarding Depression in 2015, A Poem regarding overcoming depression by John J. Rigo, Arts, Dealing with Depression, Depression The Unknown Killer, God, Health, Online Writing, Overcoming Depression., Poetry, Romance, Texas, Word on January 11, 2015| Leave a Comment »
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