HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO RUTH

June 27, 2000

          As Ruth reaches 80, we’ve got to believe

          there still are some moments she’d like to achieve.

Like parties she’d missed, the things she’d do later.

There always was something whose import was greater.

Her yielding to duties which had greater weight

For most of her lifetime this would dominate.

Obligations to job and family came first

But denying some pleasures created a thirst.

So loosening the chains which were a millstone

We toured parts of Europe, but never alone.

The Three kids were with us as teen chaperones.

For nine solid weeks, if we only had known.

Then the cruises began, a fine way to live

The inheritance drain became subversive.

But the kids, philosophic, say it isn’t coercive.

Now Ruth is at last having overdue fun

Which she wants to continue sans cost overrun.

Since Ruth tolerates aches and pains every day,

Let’s give her the happiest Happy Birthday!

                                            Philip