Today is Cindy’s birthday. She is the most extraordinary woman I know and I am fortunate beyond words that she walked into my life when she did. She has given me life beyond expectation and children of unparalleled wonder. Hers is a remarkable story, one I hope she shares one day.
Here’s a single thread, nicely sewn.
Enjoy!
The thing about Cindy… she’s so black and white.
She knows what is wrong and she knows what is right.
All the gray matters that bounce in her brain
are pregnant to pour like a storm cloud of rain.
She’s witnessed a world from land mass to sea
for around 30 years before she met me.
Some of those years were spent solemn and sad,
though no sadder than you if you lived the life that she had.
Cindy was born to a mommy who loved her,
then faded from life with the birth of her brother.
This was at 3, that era of days
when eyes wide with wonder soak in the world’s ways.
Unfortunately her father just couldn’t quite cope,
with a a life that was fraying like a soaking wet rope
So she and her brother were gathered then dropped,
with the care of a floor that’s about to get mopped.
Both were abandoned at grandparents’ farm;
one filled with good and the other with harm.
Grandma was kind and caring and clean.
Grandpa was dirty and violent and mean.
Cindy was saddled with a long list of chores;
she milked all the cows and cleaned all the floors.
The hero of our tale was not yet quite four
when required to wander from childhood’s front door.
Unspeakable awful transpired in that place,
branding her memories that time can’t erase.
That’s where she stayed until she was five,
then retrieved by her father just kind of alive.
I’d love to report things improved from that day,
but life grew so dim she looked forward to gray.
A venomous father and step monster who stung,
filled her with secrets then cut out her tongue.
Now who would you be if that was your start?
If life battered and beat down and bruised up your heart?
If that were me, I have to confess,
I’d be an immeasurable immovable mess.
But Cindy has soul that is sterling like silver
and only gets stronger when stuff doesn’t kill her.
She turned 18 and left. She never glanced back,
looking forward instead for a life to attack.
She finished with school and started to teach,
in search of raw minds that were ready to reach.
She crossed a few continents from Asia to Europe,
her years to experience like pancakes to syrup.
Her effort was noted, her horn it was tooted;
rewarded, awarded, then she was recruited.
They brought her to Cali – that’s where she met me,
a big burning sun and a brilliant blue sea.
We felt an inferno from our very first spark -
the light of my laughter full flooding her dark.
She had the wisdom to water my seed;
the honest integrity I knew I would need.
It’s been one dozen years since we knitted our lives
and 2/3 at 8 since I made her my wife.
There is no doubt that we both have grown,
but here are some things that I’ve always known:
Cindy is soulful, her eyes would agree.
I still get the shivers when she throws them at me.
Her heels always dig in so deep for a fight
whenever she sees what she knows isn’t right.
Her belief in small children and all they can do
is unfortunately shared by a relative few.
Cindy’s unfailing faith in the poise of my pen
is a little bit humbling and little bit zen.
Two years ago I wrote nothing at all,
but during one winter, one spring and one fall
She said I should scribble. She pleaded, “JUST WRITE!”
She told me in daylight and again late at night.
She believed what I didn’t, but I did as she said.
I wrote and I wrote ‘til my fingers were red.
Now I pen paragraphs of poetry and prose.
My language in bloom like the blush of a rose.
My words (like my Cindy) are all black and white,
but between all the spaces the colors are bright.
Life is now lovely and laden with laughter.
The two of us living in our ever after.
Writer Dad
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About Sean Platt
There really isn’t anything more that can be said – at least not from me. Happy Birthday, Cindy. I hope you have a great day!!
There really isn’t anything more that can be said – at least not from me. Happy Birthday, Cindy. I hope you have a great day!!
An amazing story about a more amazing person. I’m so glad Sean and you found each other and are are so right for each other. Your love affirms all that is good, strong, and right in the world. Happy Birthday, Cindy!
An amazing story about a more amazing person. I’m so glad Sean and you found each other and are are so right for each other. Your love affirms all that is good, strong, and right in the world. Happy Birthday, Cindy!
Kool Aid is so right.
Happy Birthday Mrs. Writer Dad :)
Kool Aid is so right.
Happy Birthday Mrs. Writer Dad :)
What a beautiful poem, Sean. I’m sure yesterday was a difficult day for Cindy.
What a beautiful poem, Sean. I’m sure yesterday was a difficult day for Cindy.
Your love and adoration ooze from this offering,what a beautiful tribute to the one you hold so near.Though tough to do, you out did the Mothers day poem I’d say.Happy Birthday Cindy!
Your love and adoration ooze from this offering,what a beautiful tribute to the one you hold so near.Though tough to do, you out did the Mothers day poem I’d say.Happy Birthday Cindy!
Kool Aid: You said enough. : > )
Lori: I’m forever fortunate she handed me her card. I’d be lost without her and not even know it.
Marc: Mrs. Writer Dad… she just smiled at that.
Jaime: They always are, but yesterday was the best one yet. Thank you.
Trina: Totally different tone I realize, but both had rhythm behind the soul. I wasn’t even sure if I would post this on Writer Dad, but reading this to her yesterday was a wonderful moment and I decided it was well worth sharing.
Kool Aid: You said enough. : > )
Lori: I’m forever fortunate she handed me her card. I’d be lost without her and not even know it.
Marc: Mrs. Writer Dad… she just smiled at that.
Jaime: They always are, but yesterday was the best one yet. Thank you.
Trina: Totally different tone I realize, but both had rhythm behind the soul. I wasn’t even sure if I would post this on Writer Dad, but reading this to her yesterday was a wonderful moment and I decided it was well worth sharing.
You’ve written a moving tribute to a special person. Glad the poem had a happy ending — you and Cindy building new laughter-filled memories.
Happy Birthday, Cindy!
You’ve written a moving tribute to a special person. Glad the poem had a happy ending — you and Cindy building new laughter-filled memories.
Happy Birthday, Cindy!
“the light of my laughter full flooding her dark.” So glad it did, Sean, so glad it did.
Happy birthday, Cindy – we love you!
“the light of my laughter full flooding her dark.” So glad it did, Sean, so glad it did.
Happy birthday, Cindy – we love you!
I wish you a joyous birthday, Mizz Cindy, and many happy returns. Blessed is the world that knows your presence.
Shade and Sweetwater,
K
I wish you a joyous birthday, Mizz Cindy, and many happy returns. Blessed is the world that knows your presence.
Shade and Sweetwater,
K
I had always assumed that Cindy, with her great talents, intelligence, and strong sense of what it takes to be a truly good person, came from an advantaged background.
This poem nearly broke my heart until I got to this line “They brought her to Cali – that’s where she met me,a big burning sun and a brilliant blue sea,” and I remembered that she’s safe now. You know, we have all grown to love Cindy (how could you not) so thank you, Sean, for wrapping her up in your protective blanket of love and laughter. It’s like she ‘s surrounded by her family of angels and doesn’t have to wait until heaven. :)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CINDY! I admire you now even more than ever.
I had always assumed that Cindy, with her great talents, intelligence, and strong sense of what it takes to be a truly good person, came from an advantaged background.
This poem nearly broke my heart until I got to this line “They brought her to Cali – that’s where she met me,a big burning sun and a brilliant blue sea,” and I remembered that she’s safe now. You know, we have all grown to love Cindy (how could you not) so thank you, Sean, for wrapping her up in your protective blanket of love and laughter. It’s like she ‘s surrounded by her family of angels and doesn’t have to wait until heaven. :)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CINDY! I admire you now even more than ever.
Happy Birthday Cindy!
I am so glad “ever after” looks like this :)
Happy Birthday Cindy!
I am so glad “ever after” looks like this :)
Susan: Hi Susan! Yes, but I would add that our happy ending is still only the beginning. : > )
Janice: Me too! Best thing it’s ever done, besides passing it on to my boy who laughs like me with an exponent.
Kyddryn: Very sweet, Kydd. Very sweet indeed.
Randi: No way. Cindy’s basement is as dark as the come. She has yet to know privilege, but I hope to give it to her one day.
Maya: Me too! : > )
Susan: Hi Susan! Yes, but I would add that our happy ending is still only the beginning. : > )
Janice: Me too! Best thing it’s ever done, besides passing it on to my boy who laughs like me with an exponent.
Kyddryn: Very sweet, Kydd. Very sweet indeed.
Randi: No way. Cindy’s basement is as dark as the come. She has yet to know privilege, but I hope to give it to her one day.
Maya: Me too! : > )
Wow, this poem is so touching. A symphony of feelings and memories tied together in a beautiful string of rhymes. Beautiful. Happy birthday!!!
Wow, this poem is so touching. A symphony of feelings and memories tied together in a beautiful string of rhymes. Beautiful. Happy birthday!!!
Oh, that was so touching and heartfelt! Though I don’t know anything more than just what you wrote, my heart is breaking for the little girl that she was. When you write, your heart is on your sleeve; it sounds like she has the perfect man for her!
~ A happy birthday wish for your wife!~
Oh, that was so touching and heartfelt! Though I don’t know anything more than just what you wrote, my heart is breaking for the little girl that she was. When you write, your heart is on your sleeve; it sounds like she has the perfect man for her!
~ A happy birthday wish for your wife!~
What a special tribute to your lovely lady. She sounds a bit like Jane Eyre – a tragic and difficult start but an amazing finish.
Thanks for visiting my spot in the blogosphere, too!
Jamie
What a special tribute to your lovely lady. She sounds a bit like Jane Eyre – a tragic and difficult start but an amazing finish.
Thanks for visiting my spot in the blogosphere, too!
Jamie
What a beautiful poem, you two are lucky to have found one another. Thanks for the virtual high 5! It made me smile. Today has been a good day, thank you.
What a beautiful poem, you two are lucky to have found one another. Thanks for the virtual high 5! It made me smile. Today has been a good day, thank you.
What a beautiful birthday poem. It’s horrifying what people will do to the children they’re supposed to be caring for. I admire what she was able to do despite all the people who tried to stop her.
What a beautiful birthday poem. It’s horrifying what people will do to the children they’re supposed to be caring for. I admire what she was able to do despite all the people who tried to stop her.
Avital: Thanks! I had no idea how this one would turn out until it was done. I was really happy with it though. Cindy cried (the good kind) so I knew it sang in the right key.
Jenn: I can never be perfect, but I can always try to be perfect for her. Well said, Jenn. Thanks.
SteadyMom: Ooh, she’s going to like being likened to Jane Eyre. I can’t wait to tell her that one. : > ) The visit as my pleasure.
Avital: Thanks! I had no idea how this one would turn out until it was done. I was really happy with it though. Cindy cried (the good kind) so I knew it sang in the right key.
Jenn: I can never be perfect, but I can always try to be perfect for her. Well said, Jenn. Thanks.
SteadyMom: Ooh, she’s going to like being likened to Jane Eyre. I can’t wait to tell her that one. : > ) The visit as my pleasure.
Avital: Thanks! I had no idea how this one would turn out until it was done. I was really happy with it though. Cindy cried (the good kind) so I knew it sang in the right key.
Jenn: I can never be perfect, but I can always try to be perfect for her. Well said, Jenn. Thanks.
SteadyMom: Ooh, she’s going to like being likened to Jane Eyre. I can’t wait to tell her that one. : > ) The visit as my pleasure.
Wow…who needs Halmark when your spouse can write things like that for you? Good stuff, Sean!
Wow…who needs Halmark when your spouse can write things like that for you? Good stuff, Sean!
Awesome, Sean! happy, happy, happy birthday to you,Cindy. We can all party on tonight. See you guys later. love you. mom
p.s…..amazing , flabbergasting, beyond my wildest expecations mother’s day present, my babies, sean and megan! love you more than a lioness with her cubs (and you know how I like cats).
Awesome, Sean! happy, happy, happy birthday to you,Cindy. We can all party on tonight. See you guys later. love you. mom
p.s…..amazing , flabbergasting, beyond my wildest expecations mother’s day present, my babies, sean and megan! love you more than a lioness with her cubs (and you know how I like cats).
Tell Cindy Happy Birthday for me. Your writing is awesome Sean…I got all teary eyed. We love you both and miss you all.
Tell Cindy Happy Birthday for me. Your writing is awesome Sean…I got all teary eyed. We love you both and miss you all.
Another beautiful poem about a another fantastically awesome family member.
(Sigh).
It’s like “Father Knows Best” meets the Brady Bunch.
(Isn’t there ANYBODY in your extended family who sucks?)
:-D
Another beautiful poem about a another fantastically awesome family member.
(Sigh).
It’s like “Father Knows Best” meets the Brady Bunch.
(Isn’t there ANYBODY in your extended family who sucks?)
:-D
Happy Birthday to the most soulful teacher I’ve ever met. The world is a better place with you in it.
And Friar, you can camp on the couch and be the adopted black-sheep Platt until Cindy throws you out. Happy? :D
Happy Birthday to the most soulful teacher I’ve ever met. The world is a better place with you in it.
And Friar, you can camp on the couch and be the adopted black-sheep Platt until Cindy throws you out. Happy? :D
Happy Birthday Cindy!! An amazing woman, mommy..person. And a beautiful gift to her, Sean.
Happy Birthday Cindy!! An amazing woman, mommy..person. And a beautiful gift to her, Sean.
That was beautiful! :)