Courageous As You Are

 

As a kid they said “dream big”,

but we dreamt many dreams and earned false hope.

As a kid they said, “say your prayers little one”,

but we prayed many prayers,

though fulfilled was none.

We’ve shed many tears in the brink of our loneliness,

hoping the power of ceding does not overcome us.

However,

in the little time that we spent Guido,

seldom have we seen anyone courageous as you are.

 

Sixty-one years ago you were surrounded by eleven different smiles:

eleven different stories.

Yet under one house you managed to have your own story.

It began an hour east of Rome.

Yet raised in Switzerland,

your spontaneity brought you to Montreal then Toronto,

but one thing was missing

the lasagna and your Italian amigos.

 

A few years have passed now;

you married Queen Regina,

in the beautiful city of Calgary.

From the union came three beautiful children

and then eight grandsons

to protect one precious granddaughter.

You built an empire for your family

A company continued through generations.

 

Wife proud and children happy,

in a foreign country you became the king.

A father,

the almighty,

the giving

and the sincere.

You worked and worked

Always employed

Day and night to feed your children

Your hands a testament to your labour

 

You inspired the dreams of your kids with your bravery.

You gave them comfort with your words;

muttering prayers as you kissed your children goodnight.

You always hope for them to have a better life than yours.

In you, Guido, we see that love,

spontaneity,

and courage is all you need to live a meaningful life.

Courage, as you are Guido, we have seldom seen.

 

With gratitude,

Eunice and Zabu-E