Life #13: Social Devotion
This chapter is totally devoted to my wonderful children, their journeys into adulthood and our excitement for the future.
There is no love quite like, this father’s for his kids
A dad’s deep devotion, is a child’s first dibs
My son and each daughter
Blood thicker than water
Life changed from each moment, they were babes in their cribs
But before the first months, of parenthood had passed
A significant question, at my workplace was asked
To take an expat exchange
To a country then strange
A sliding door decision; our destinies were cast
So we flew in with baby, from England one night
Took a taxi into town, gazing out at the lights
My mind full of wonder
How would we fare down under
I hoped that Australia, would treat us all right
For we just had each other, knew nearly no one
Getting to know Melbourne, was daunting but fun
We settled into Kew
And made two more of you
Soon three kids under six, had us under the thumb
We had no nearby cousins, to play down the road
No grandparents or aunties, to help share the load
Extended families
All living overseas
Too far a distance, from our Melbourne abode
So arriving back home, after work every night
I would walk in the house, to your squeals of delight
Toys dropped to the floor
As you ran to the door
Jumping into my arms, that would hug you so tight
At bedtimes I would sing you, nursery rhymes to sleep
Then when finally settled, out the door I’d sneak
Treading in slow motion
Until a commotion
When you’d suddenly reawake, as loose flooring creaked
‘Wider than the whole world’; nightly musings would begin
‘Beyond the moon and back’, to my cherished next-of-kin
Such devotion outpoured
On a solid sounding board
That helped you be comfortable, deep inside your own skin
We’d share stories, go digging, do drawings and dance
Rugby, netball, and basketball, also given a chance
But when computer games
Trumped dinosaurs and trains
Athletics and Scouts, were a brief dalliance
Memories of holidays, back when you were quite small
From exploring Vietnam, to intrepid Nepal
Across to New Zealand
Thailand and England
To the NT and Queensland, we ventured to them all
But I juggled our time, with my job and career
Work life was imbalanced, I was not always here
Often working late nights
Or away on long flights
All alone in the air, sometimes shedding a tear
I lament those lost days, on business away
Corporately consumed, with life’s bills to pay
Or at your time for bed
I’d be working instead
Not home until after, a child’s close of play
Though nowadays you effuse, that I’m the ‘best dad ever’
A flattering compliment, but clearly I could never
Accept such accolade
But hopefully I’ve made
You confident to do, whatever you endeavour
I adore all my children, exactly the same
Magnificent, yet different, in all but last name
You’re all individual
With love unconditional
You’ll each be incredible, wherever you aim
You impress and surprise, with passion in your eyes
For animals, homes, mothers, and their babies’ first cries
The vocations you choose
Your family values
Will guide you, however high you reach for the skies
You’ve enjoyed the privilege, of private education
And you cherish your heritage, to three mother nations
You’ve a keen sense of fairness
Environmental awareness
Like the poor planet we’ll bequeath, to your generation
You’ll lean into headwinds, you’ll confront clouds of grey
Like affording a house, and inequitable pay
Your world is more complex
But far greater prospects
With beacons of our love, to help navigate your way
I’m so proud of the pathways, you’ve paved for yourself
And you don’t take for granted, the gift of good health
Now in the wink of an eye
How the years have flown by
As it seems you have suddenly, all grown up by stealth
Yes, our lives have whizzed past, in a dizzying whirl
You’ve morphed to fine adults, from young boy and girls
I hope we forever
Can hang out together
I too walk much taller, with you in my world
The most enduring love, is a parent’s for their kids
Chips chopped off the old block, cloned from figurative ribs
Totally devoted
Eternally doted
May we stay forever young … for I cannot be dead for quids!
Kevin Holmes • 25th October 2023
