About Me

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Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, United States

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Christmas 2009

Did Christmas come too early this year?
Perhaps we need a little Christmas
To forget for just a few weeks
War, pestilence, unemployment, foreclosures, etc.

The food pantries are running low.
Needy funds ask for more.
Service at stores and restaurants is super,
From our young neighbors who really need the job.

Yet for some old people, blessings abound.
Marry me, I asked; she said yes, and she did,
On February 14th, on St. Valentine’s day.
Honeymooned two weeks in March in Palm Beach,

We were featured in the chronicle of significant events
Announced at the 60th reunion of my class at West Point:
Pat Kimball married Barbara Rockefeller,
Bringing a silent cheer in the chapel from my classmates.



We drove to NYC again in May, after the reunion.
Saw South Pacific and the American Ballet Theater,
Visited the Metropolitan Museum at leisure,
And strolled Central Park on a delightful day.

Two weeks in Tuscany in August, in a rented villa
With three families, including four teenagers.
The group dynamics were difficult, and lack of
Our own transportation limited our reach.



But Barbara finally got to the Uffizi in Florence.
We spent full days in Arezzo and Siena,
Where I had been to on earlier trips
And made some short visits to neighboring sights.

Fortunately, we secured the penthouse,
Which shielded us from late night hoohah.
The swimming pool was a nice treat
At the end of some very hot days.


Two more reunions in October: A gathering of former
Members of St. James the Less in Scarsdale, including
Cocktail parties, banquets, an elaborate service
And a day at the Westchester Mall.



A reunion of 40s classes from Tenafly High School;
Four of the original 903 girls in attendance.
On the way home from both, we sought shelter with
Sue and Frank Millard in Old Greenwich.






I suggested to the director of the Cape Cod Museum of Art
That a retrospective of Barbara's work would be
A fitting tribute for her 80th birthday,
And her years of voluntary service as registrar of paintings.



St. David's is now mainly a social club for old folks like us.
Theological controversies never rise to the surface.
Barbara goes off the vestry, as a new rector arrives.
And I lead a book discussion group of The Reason for God.

Work on the house in Yarmouthport is mostly complete.
The general contractor decided that since we are now both
In our eighties, we have no business cleaning house,
So we hired some hard-working Brasileiras to do so.

Hiking and biking much slower, but getting out regularly.
I have a wonderful companion for local walks.
Tippy is a border collie who begs me to take her out,
Then simultaneously protects me and herds me along.



May God be with you, for Christmas and the New Year!






Barbara and Patrick