Happy 80th Birthday, Grandpa Don!

Known as "Grandpa," "Mr. Graham,"

"Donald," "Don," and "Dad,"

You're the best at all these names

that anyone's ever had.

Friendly and always good-natured,

mannerly, thoughtful, and smart;

A man with a supersized smile,

and twice as big a heart.

From all of your years of serving,

and teaching both young and old;

Always sharing wisdom

with each story that you told.

If your life was like a schoolhouse,

containing the keys to success,

Then you're the faithful study guide

that helps one ace the test!

In Literature you're the novel,

the story that keeps inspiring;

In Computers you're the keyboard,

Without it, there's not much transpiring.

In Chemistry you're the table,

the essential building block;

In Economics, you're the money,

Earth Science--you're the rock.

In Physiology and Anatomy,

I'd say for sure you're the heart;

In Physics you're the experiment

(cause that's the enjoyable part).

In the hallway, you're the buddy

that helps one find his next class;

And when one NEEDS the restroom,

you're the teacher that says, "Make it fast."

In Spanish class, you're the Fiesta,

In Biology, you're the flower,

In Algebra, you're the equation,

In P.E., you're the shower.

In Geometry you're a right angle,

In Woodshop, you're the saw;

In Art class you're the example

of what everyone's trying to draw.

In the Band room you're the percussion,

the beat that keeps everyone going;

On the football field you're the touchdown,

In Home Ec you're thread for the sewing.

In Choir class, you're "hitting-the-high-note,"

On stage you're the standing ovation.

At lunch you're the extra potatoes,

In Philosophy, you're the quotation.

In the Guidance Office you're the counsel,
In the Nurse's Room you're the first-aid,
On the baseball field you're a no-hitter,
At Homecoming, you're the parade.

In Psychology you're the behavior,

In Statistics you're the data;

In the office, you're the break room,

In Trig--the solution to theta.

In Grammar you're the punctuation,

The thrilling exclamation mark!

In Driver's Ed, you're the instructor

who's patient with "parallel park."

At the end of the week, you're the Friday,

The no-homework sigh of relief,

And when Monday morning comes early,

You're the coffee that helps with the grief.

When graduation day rolls around,

You're the gown, the cap, and the stole,

And the summer report card that comes in the mail,

that says, "Principal's Honor Roll."

So, to get to the heart of this message,

no student body member would contest,

when it comes to the person who earns the A+

In short, you are TRULY THE BEST!

 

Dear Grandpa Don,

I wish you the happiest birthday! You are an amazing man, and I am so lucky to have you for a Grandpa. Thank you for always being so patient, wise, generous, and loving. Happy 80th birthday to the best Grandpa!

Love, Karen Lynn Rinella

November 20, 2012