Jim's 60th

This is a little story I wrote to celebrate Jim's Life before 60!

Life before 60

60 years, where has it all gone!!!
A Short Story on Jims Life as told by Jan.

The youngest of Seven into the world rushed Jim
The apple of his mothers eye, she wasn’t expecting him!
Lots of happiness growing up with so many,
Times of sadness and loss mixed to hasten lifes journey.

A brother lost tragically, how did they cope,
Such faith did they have, and no time to mope
Never forgotten though life carries on
Max was someone special, his memory not gone.

Jim loved his football and played with Wenty
He played and he played and he played until twenty
The few years before then he had married his girl
A bit before they were ready, but they’d give it a whirl.

So young, so strongwilled and incredibly handsome,
He forged a life for his growing young brood
Cleared some land, built a house, determination and then some
He turned nothing into something, we even had food!!

Always complaining the days weren’t long enough
To build, to improve and to grow vegies and stuff
His energy was boundless, his achievements unreal
I bet he wished he could have harnessed that feel.

The next project was to clear 5 acres of land,
But he did that with a mower and family at hand,
Many times that mower ended up in the dam,
As it caught on fire being punished by this man.

He put us all in a tent whilst the house was being built
And for months we bathed in dishes and ate on a table with a tilt
The boys ran free, aged 7, 4 and two,
Nothing was impossible, just some things took time to do.

A lovely home he helped build to house his three sons,
Motor bikes, horses, swimming pool and lots to have fun
His parents were there to support us always
From the day he was born, till the day they slipped away.

There he worked from daylight till dark,
Three little shadows not far from his mark,
They watched him and helped him and learned along the way,
How to be a man with a big heart and be proud every day.

When the challenge ran out, Jim said Lets move!
So with trust in our hearts, we followed his groove.
Back into a paddock to live in a van ,
In the middle of winter, no one needed a fan.

We soon moved to Parkes where Jim took on a farm
The shearing shed was always a place for a yarn,
The pig shed was full, the days were busy
The work that was done would make anyone dizzy!

Nan and Pa were often around
They loved the life of a bit of ground,
They adored the boys and enjoyed their stay
And backed their son, come what may.

Now Jim and Pa liked a beer,
And many a tale was told over that cheer,
Male bonding at its best, nothing could compete,
With Father and Son , stories no one could beat.

Jim loves his football and all three boys took part,
When he gave up the playing, coaching was then to start,
Refereeing came next, into his forties he came,
A way to keep fit and be part of the game.

Not so fast is Jim in his daily work now,
I doubt if he could still run down a cow,
But if asked for help, by a neighbour , friend or son,
Don’t get in his way, there’s a job to be done.

As loyal as ever, no one questions his strength
To get the job done, chair a meeting or ten,
Run committees and workers and lead teams of men,
Good mate to many, and has many a friend.

Some special come to mind,
Peter, Bernie, Ray and Chris,
Tom, Daryl, Ted and Dave,
Too many to list.

With boys all left home to pursue their careers,
Jim was ready to move, he had no fears,
The next chapter was ready for adventure to seek
No point in staying in Parkes in the heat.

By now a few more had crept into his heart,
Three girls for his boys to help life play its part
How proud was he when he walked one down the aisle,
It took more than a month to get rid of that smile!

New farm in Valla, a coastal surprise,
How refreshing it is no dust and no flies,
Eight golf courses within a few miles,
Helps Jim to produce a lot of his smiles.

Life hasn’t been all easy for this stubborn proud man
Worked hard, played hard and always lent a hand,
He has just done his best with what he has had,
And at 60 still going albeit slowed down a tad.

Some favourite old lines he has quite a few,
I believe is one and character building is two
Swearing is allowed to be done with your mates,
But not around women, that’s not the place.

There is a new softness come into his life,
Seven special little people creating some strife,
His love for these children well it really does thrill,
The joy they bring him as he shares his own skill.

Now life isn’t perfect and has never been,
Ups and downs in families of course are seen,
Jim and I have seen good and bad together,
Now two oldies, we need each other more than ever.

Jim Knight, you are certainly no saint
And some things you have done would make a grown man faint,
But if I had my life to live over once more,
I’d choose you for a partner if you walked through that door.


So, friends, raise your glasses, have a drink for Jim
Of course he’ll have one with you, an old beer for him,
I loved you when I was 16 and I still love you now,
Happy Birthday you bloody larrikin, now please take a bow.