SUZIE . . .

Tell Your Stories 

How Else Would You Ever Know

July 4th, a few years back . . .

We were living near Milwaukee, in the suburb of West Allis, Wisconsin.

In the early morning, Gary, Scott, (fully pregnant, ready to deliver me,)
hurried down the road, to watch the Ringling Brothers Circus Train, 

as they traveled into Milwaukee for the big July 4th Parade.  

(Surely, hot sun, standing, walking would spur me on to deliver you!)  

(Not quite yet!)

To top it off we ended our day at a Drive-In theater in Milwaukee, 

for Scott to watch Born Free.  

Scott fell asleep on the bed we made for him in the back 

while we watched  Doctor Zhivago.

Next day arrived, I kinda knew something was churning 

and sure enough, off we went to the hospital, late afternoon of July 5.

And you, Susan Guinon (Gordon at the time) were born at 1:06 am, 7.6.1967.   

Fast delivery, healthy, happy baby, the beginning of 

 “My Little July Firecracker, Susan Kay Gordon story.”

So many stories from then until now.  

You have been quietly independent and determined from the “get go” 

and you continue to amaze me with your way of keeping things “in check!  

You do and are, everything for Mike, Tyler, Jordon, Oakland and family.  

I am wishing you the best, happiest, birthday ever.  

I like nothing more than spending a few hours of your Birth Day with us being together.  

I love our plan, shop, not find a thing, go for lunch and have some Slainte’ time.  

Suzie, Suzie, SUZIE, I love, Love, LOVE you! 

love

mom

CIVILITY . . .

I posted this picture on Facebook the other day

several comments 

someone made a comment

“I can’t say they were all great presidents

so what does it matter.”

for me it mattered because I saw and felt respect

it mattered because I saw them regarding each other

it mattered because I felt civility

it mattered because I liked what I saw

and I used it as my cover photo

why are we so quick to jump on something

to tear down

and not try to build up

not all of those in the picture were my favorites

I didn’t dislike them though 

some were my favorites

a simple like

to my knowledge, it wasn’t a photo op picture

it was presidents and wives being in the same place, same time

and someone took a picture

they were together In

conversation

having a something in common moment

can’t that just be nice 

Dad . . .

I miss him

liked that we could talk to one another

we each listened as well 

loved his quick wit

his honesty

authenticity 

loved the old shoes 

he would wear to work in the gardens

loved dancing with him

smooth, graceful 

I loved his love for my mom
he appreciated

adored

they laughed
were silly together
I remember their glow

loved listening to his stories

about being a kid

about poor

being an athlete
walking to college
graduating

his packer hat

nice it is to remember

but oh how I wish I had spent more days

walking the yard together

sitting with him while he enjoyed his beer

listening to him swear a bit while 

listening to baseball

watching football
playing more cribbage

happy he knew how much I loved him

hugging wasn’t the norm in the forties, fifties

loved that he hugged me 

told me I was his princess

I could be whatever I wanted to be

my dad
Claude A Peacock
1910-1978