My Dad's Poetry meets My Cards...CAS(E) this Sketch #26

Sometimes, my cards come with a background story, and the two I’m sharing today most certainly do. 

My dad is an incredibly stolid man – not much of a conversationalist, not given to socializing beyond the sphere of family.  Even with us, he’s a man of few words.  My niece manages to get more chats out of him than anyone else. I mean, who can resist the call of “Poppa, Poppa” from a 3 year old when she *needs* to show him the boo-boo on her knee, or requires his help to get her Hot Wheels car going fast, fast fast?   Three years ago my dad was catapulted into retirement from his long-standing profession as a civil engineer due to an exponentially unexpected and extreme heath issue. One minute he was fine; the next, life changed.  Drastically. That he’s still with us is nothing short of a miracle.

Over the course of the past year, we’ve seen a side of him not seen before: he started to write poems. I know: “old school” engineer + writing poetry doesn’t seem fathomable, however I kid you not!  Now, we’re not talking ‘outstanding’ poetry – no sonnets, or odes or haikus -  but the fact that he’s playing with verse, and sharing them with us (each poem connected to an occasion – birthdays and so forth) is mightily amazing!  They’re written sort of ‘cat in the hat’ style, and often from the perspective of my niece and nephew.  Yes, the poems are sometimes are a ‘stretch’ in making sense, however, they come from the ‘heart.’  Whimsical, wonky, quirky, charming – they run the spectrum.  Originally, my sister was given card-making duty  – all computer engineered with photos and so forth – so when my card appearances became more noticeable, she didn’t mind handing the reigns over.  I was ecstatic when my dad accepted my offer .  Even though we don’t chit-chat often, the chance to make cards “for him” to reflect what he’s composed “from” my niece and nephew…wonderful!   Truly!  The only hitch: sometimes he likes to give me card-making advice, as in “using those foamy things makes it difficult to store the cards flat in a folder for future referencing.”  Sometimes I listen; sometimes I don’t J  Based on our ‘collaborations’ from the past, I think we make a pretty good team.  And his way of showing his love for us through his poems:  endearing!

So, today’s cards are ‘my’ interpretation for the poems my dad wrote for my sister-in-law and brother, from the voices of my niece and nephew, for Mother and Father’s Day.  Clear as mud, right?   You won’t be once you see them.  They’re definitely ‘whimisical’ – as cards from toddlers would be – and I’ve tried to capture bits of the poems in each.  My dad (or rather, my “niece and nephew” are) is giving my brother a little oak tree to plant in their back yard, so my new set of Trees Company from TAWS worked perfectly. For for "mommy" - baby birds from Trees Company, a Doodle Frame (both TAWS), and a PS Flap Happy butterfly.  No Happy Mother/Father Day sentiments; instead I chose to describe what they are - special and fabulous.

Since this is in keeping with my His and Hers online class homework, you'll see similar elements in each version, as well as the sketch, inspired by the delightful team at CAS(E) this Sketch (#26).

"Ladies first" - here's my sister-in-law's "Mother's Day,' inspired by the sketch and my dad's poem"

and here's for my brother, his 'Father's Day

and here's the 'happy couple'

Hope my dad likes these, and my sister-in-law and brother, too (and you, as well!!)

Thanks for dropping in, and please know that your comments are welcome and appreciated, deeply.

Have a fabulous, special day!!