Bethany's six year old poem:
Six years old my Bethany is
Six years gone, can it be? Gee whiz
That sweet patient baby, that persistent toddler
with a marker in one hand, in the other a bottle - her
marker-face makeup a dazzling sight!
But we always knew she was growing up right
Through years three and then four, bring on five and now look
year six here we go - we’re opening the book
And an adventure it is sure to be, for is there such
a six year old as my Bethany who I love so much?
Full of such vim and vigor - hey, what is "vim" anyway?
Well, let’s see what Websters has to say
"robust energy and enthusiasm" - little girl that is you
And you show it in everything that you do
Bethany, my sweet, you are on the ball
You’ve been that way ever since you were small
Street-wise, with mucho mas common sense,
and oodles and boodles of personality immense
You know where you’re at, you know where your going
And whenever we chat, I can tell that you’re knowing
what’s up, and then those creative juices are flowing
and a yarn you are spinning
As I look into those winning
green eyes and bright smile
- gapped still, though it’s been awhile
since you hit the hard floor
tumbling out the van door -
ne’ertheless I can tell, through the giggles and wiggles
in each rhyme and kid-joke
That you’ve got one over on your dad, poor old bloke
You flew through kindergarten, just as we knew
that you would, and your color changes were few
In fact "obedience" was the trait you displayed
obeying Mrs. Silver as you learned and you played
And play you did! You and your little friends
‘tending and fore-tending and pre-tending no end
With Barbies coming out of our proverbial ears
Barbies in every conceivable get-up
pursuing every conceivable career
There’s surfer Barbie, and shopping Barbie,
And, for all I know, there’s share-cropping Barbie
Alongside your babies that pee, sneeze and shiver
You, little girl, have become quite the care-giver
Snug in your room - mommy surely came through
In devotedly choosing new bedding for you
And upgrading your wall paint in such pretty yellow
Though she got no help from the resident old fellow
That’d be me - but I leave the creating to her
I knew she’d do great - of that I was sure
Each year I ponder as this time rolls around
The time that has just passed us by, and I’ve found
That each year I grow prouder of you, and I see
That you’re growing up into the young lady you’ll be
In soccer you proved that you had, once more
All the moves and grooves and drive you were needin’
To show those boys a thing or two, or four
And leave them in your wake, bruised and bleedin’
Just kidding - you’re not the violent sort
But they learned not to underestimate a girl who, although short
in stature, was long in determination
You are Bethany Roberts, YMCA sensation
A girl who loves to have some good fun
whether it be playing freeze tag, or a good sprinkler run
A girl who loves the thrill of the chase
Though each year you speed up, while I’m slowing in pace
So I ask that you promise me this, just in case
If ever I can’t catch you, can I still kiss your sweet face?
And listen to your stories, your rhymes and your wit
Though the volume’s sometimes loud, I don’t mind one bit
You’re my sweetheart, dear Beth Beth
my little sweet-pea
And I’m loving just watching you become what you’ll be
I see you take steps towards the Lord in sweet prayer
And I can tell that Jesus your heart will prepare
For His lifelong home, to sit on the throne
Of your life as you learn to invite Him in there
So these are my thoughts toward you,
though in frail verse expressed,
I hope they convey to you
How completely I have been blessed
To have a daughter as wonderful as you
Who I love as deep as the ocean is blue
Oh Bethany my beauty, my sweet little miss
Happy birthday to you!
(chase, catch, hug and kiss!)
I love you
Daddy
August 11, 1999