My father Dennis will be 86 years old in August.  He is going a little deaf but he is fit and well and happily takes care of my mum who has poor mobility - he does all the cooking and the housework and he won't have people come round and do the garden for him.  He is an ispiration to me and much loved by my sons.  Eleven years ago, on his 75th birthday, we threw a party for him and I wrote a poem for him.  Here it is:

 

Life is like a long hard climb
To the brow of the highest hill of all
Some never make it to the top
Tired or fearful lest they fall

 

Sometimes I have faltered along my way
Things haven't gone quite as I planned
But whenever I longed to be back on the ground
You led me along with outstretched hand

 

The higher I climbed, the greater the view.
The more I could see of the world below.
Yes you gave me the world and I thank you each day
For the greatest gift any man could bestow