He Had Other Trophies

A poem I write in 2009 soon after my father's passing, in honor of his giving spirit.

My Dad at seventy

did not sit in his chair

and tell tales by the fire

of football heroics

though he could have, not he!

A champion weight lifter

my Dad went to big meets

with his son to compete

and quite often he'd win

and come home triumphant.

His next goal was to beat

a guy stronger than he

and he worked and he worked

until he could bench press,

believe me, 300!

My Dad won that big match

that trophy was golden,

he was grinning and glad

and he walked with much pride,

he was twenty inside.

As my brother and Dad

walked away from the gym

a young man was leaving

who dropped his big trophy

which landed in pieces.

The face of the lifter

was grief-stricken and so

unzipping his bag fast

Dad did what he had to

and gave him his trophy.

The young man was startled

and could not say a thing

for my Dad walked away

not waiting for thank you's,

he had other trophies.

Rest in peace, Dad.  I love you!

Author's Note

Graphics credit: Michael D. Salmon, my brother

Reviews

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Joyce... a beautiful story of
your Dad's giving Spirit. His gift was
very unselfish... and surely gave him inner
Peace. It must be similar to being
in a Parish and looking at stained glass
windows of Saints in vivid colors with the
Light shining through. truly... Pat

[Joyce S. Greene]

What a lovely review, Patricia. When my mother was suffering from Alzheimer's, my father cared for her at home for many years. She would ask to go to church at times when there were no services, but my father would drive her to the church so she could see for herself. He was a very giving man and he loved my mother very much. Even when she had to go into a facility because of a broken hip, he practically lived there and tried to supervise the work of the staff.
I appreciate your reading my poem and leaving such wonderful words behind.

[Joyce S. Greene]

Such a heartfelt, and true write, and ode for your dad, I see he meant and still means the world to you, and that you bring here nicely over... I love the way you discribe him, and how he stood in life, towards life, a great spirit is gone, I see... thanks for sharing this personal piece. He would be proud at you for writing this.

- Elisa

[Joyce S. Greene]

Thank you so much, Elisa, for your wonderful review. I do miss my Dad very much. He was a man who loved his wife so much that he cared for her for years while she was severely ill with Alzheimer's. He only put her into a home when she broke her hip and then he almost lived at the nursing home and practically supervised her care while she was there. He was certainly one of a kind. I really appreciate your very kind words, they mean a lot to me.

You're so welcome dear one, such a beautiful man it was, I see... selfless, and helpful. I adore this write, my friend, fathers are special, and thank you for letting me know yours for a bit... means a lot to me too xo :) he lives in you now.... each and every day :)

[Coyote Poetry]

It was a amazing poem. Your father was a good man. Real honor of a life is what we leave behind in wisdom and in kindness. Thank you for sharing the excellent poem for a good man.
Coyote

[Joyce S. Greene]

Thank you, Coyote. I appreciate your letting me know your thoughts - my father was a very honorable man and loved his family very much.

[Coyote Poetry]

I could tell by your kind words. I use to call my father every Friday. Every Friday I want to call him and hear his voice. I do hear his voice in my voice and now I see his face in my face with old age. Funny how we become our parent.

[Sanober]

Wow...bench press 300! that truly is amazing. Such an honorable man your dad must have been...such a big and kind heart. Thank you so much for sharing his story with us. ...touched my heart.

[Joyce S. Greene]

Thank you for your very nice review, Sanober. Honorable is a very good way of describing my Dad. I thank you for reading my poem and leaving your thoughts behind.

[wordman]

well he didn't need the trophy for show or bragging rights he just wanted to prove to him self he could still do it and he did it was a great gesture that he gave that trophy to someone that needed it for show
your dad already had what he needed sounds like a sweet man and you gave him a wonderful tribute
he is proud of you so am i

[Joyce S. Greene]

Thank you for your very nice words, Ron. My Dad was a very generous man. What he had, he shared.

[Baby Ricochet]

What a beautiful story. Your dad was a real stand up guy

[Joyce S. Greene]

Thank you, BR. You and my Dad had at least a few things in common. Weight lifting and speaking honestly and forthrightly among them. Thanks for leaving such a kind review behind.

[Angi]

Oh Joyce! Your dad did an awesome thing! That young guy will never-ever forget what your dad did for him. I am betting that story will be shared again and again. One day, when that young guy turns grey, he will pass it forward. Beautiful poem for your daddy. I loved this! Angi~

[Joyce S. Greene]

Thanks, Angi. What very nice things to say. I really appreciate your great review of this poem.

[Lydia Shutter]

Your father was a kind and compassionate man to give his trophy to that boy who had broken his. He knew he won....he did not need that trophy. How wonderful he continued to lift weights and stay in shape into the golden years. Thank you for sharing such a lovely memory with us. The love you had for him shines in every line. No doubt he is terribly missed. Lydi**

[Joyce S. Greene]

Yes, Lydi, he is missed. I think we've spoken about how I see him often in a crowd and then feel bereft when it's not he. Life goes on, but it's never the same once your parents pass away. I know you feel the same way. I thank you for your very compassionate review.

[MsJewel]

Joyce, Your father sounds like a wonderfully generous person. These are lovely memories. A beautiful tribute to him!

:) Julie

[Joyce S. Greene]

Thanks, Julie. Dad was very giving, Julie, and since I felt close to him today I wanted to give him a gift so I posted this poem I wrote soon after his death. I really appreciate your very nice words.

[NeiL ArandA]

Wow wow wow . Vivid as its just happened yesterday . Something really struck me about what your Dad did here . Though some put value on awards like trophy medal and placque which will eventually will rust fade and collect dust . What your Dad did here is something that he impressed in the youngs mans heart that l may have had a life long influence and impact in his life . Your Dad understood well and really knows what really matters in life . Not stuff but people . Thanks for sharing to us your Dads legacy . We need more like him in our present world today .

[Joyce S. Greene]

I always thought that young man must have been a bit nonplused by Dad's gift. I hope he truly valued Dad's gift and valued the trophy even more than he would have valued his own. Thanks for your wonderful review, Neil. Your words make me even more proud of my Dad and that was a difficult thing to do.