Blonde-haired, Blue-eyed Adventures
From March 1999 to July 2001, I wrote a series of stories for my daughter. They were eight short tales of the adventures of a blonde-haired, blue-eyed little girl, each written after the adventure and shared with her. The last was written after she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, shortly before her ninth birthday.
For years, I’ve wanted to collect them into a book, and I finally sat down and did that last month. A photo/sketch accompanies each story, and the book closes with a bedtime poem that I wrote following her diagnosis. The photo on the front cover is of Alyssa at her first Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation “Walk to Cure Diabetes,” in 2002. I even managed to finish it before her wedding, which is in two weeks. I gave it to her this month for her birthday, and she loves it. And, I’m a happy dad.
I’ll show that book to you in installments, starting with the poem that opens it, written at the time of the adventures.
Alyssa
Summer stars, softly shimmering
in a veil of light about your hair.
Pools of vibrant blue masquerading as eyes,
sparkling with a hint of mischief.
Smile broad, with corners creased,
flashing a warmth to melt a heart.
These form a picture in my mind,
keeping me with you always.
~~~~~
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Spud
The Tiny Princess
Blue and Blonde Sprinkles
Jenny Comes Home from School
Smiles in the Pumpkin Patch
The Happiest of Birthdays
The Blonde-haired, Blue-eyed Starfish
The New Blonde-haired, Blue-eyed Girl
~~~
Sweet Dreams
Ken Gierke
rivrvlogr 
Reblogged this on Sue Vincent's Daily Echo.
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Thank you for sharing, Sue.
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Glad to, ken. What a beautiful gift for your daughter.
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Your poem is so beautiful and filled with love and I know
Alyssa will cherish it forever.
miriam
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Thank you, Miriam. She told me she plans to read the stories to her children.
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Absolutely beautiful, Ken. A true gift from the heart… Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, Bette. 🙂
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What a beautiful thing you have done for your child. I look forward to reading along with you.
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Thanks, Claudia. I’m pleased with the way it came out.
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What a great idea. I’m sure she will appreciate it for years to come.
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Thank you. It was a labor of love.
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Definitely. It’s hard with daughters, their marrying and letting go.
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What a lovely undertaking!
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Thank you.
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Welcome!
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The love for a child is special. A wonderful gift, and thank you for sharing it with us. (K)
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Thank you, Kerfe.
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Alyssa is such a cutie with a great smile. “Pools of vibrant blue masquerading as eyes.” What a wonderful line. The project/book is a labor of love. Looking forward to the installments 🙂
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Thank you, Lisa. I agree about the smile, but then there’s a good chance I’m biased. 😉
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You are welcome, Ken!
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A heart-warming post, Ken – your poem, and your collection of stories into a book – not that many dads could measure up! I look forward to the installments.
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Thanks, Jazz. I always encouraged her to read and write. I know the reading part stuck – she plans to read it to her children, when they come along.
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So very beautiful…
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Merci!
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Thank you for sharing. 🙂
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What a beautiful, loving gift! Thank you so much for sharing it with us, Ken. Wishing your daughter much happiness (and you, too, of course).
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Thank you, Merril. In a week, I’ll be packing, then it’s a busy ten days before I’m home, again. It should be a wonderful visit.
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Busy, but wonderful!
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What a wonderful gift, Ken!
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Thanks, Bob. 🙂
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What a wonderful gift to your daughter! She’ll no doubt treasure it forever. Congratulations on her upcoming wedding. 😊
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Thank you, Betty. Fun times – then & now!
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So lovely 🙂
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🙂 Thanks.
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Pingback: Twinkle Twinkle, Little Spud | rivrvlogr
What a beautiful gift 💜
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🙂 Thank you. 🙂
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😃😃
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Pingback: The Tiny Princess | rivrvlogr
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Such treasures – Your daughter and the gift! I’m reblogging!
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Thank you. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Extraordinary Sunshine Weaver and commented:
A heart-warming post on a father’s love for his daughter. Follow his other links to the other stories and poems for her in the book.
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Thank you, so much.
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That is so beautiful and special! Now that he has dementia I wish I had more from my dad when he was all here. Memories must suffice but sometimes I would like more…
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There are many things I wish I’d asked my own father. I have a pretty close relationship with my children, If nothing else, when I’m gone they can always fall back on my poetry.
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And thank you! 🙂
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