Big Plans Poem by Jim Yerman

This morning as a 71 year old man walking with Deborah on a beach in Florida…
I thought back to the big plans I had as a boy…
plans that would bring me wealth and fame and lead to happiness and joy.

Plan A was be a baseball star…the best outfielder of them all!
Unfortunately I was never very good at hitting, catching or throwing that little ball.

Plan B was to be a football star…they play with a bigger ball.
but when it came to playing football…it was me who as too small

Plan C was to be a rock star…not bad for a third choice.
But a plan that was quickly abandoned
as people covered their ears when they heard my singing voice..

Yes, I was going to be famous and wealthy…
with legions of adoring fans…
but it seems the Gods, or fate or destiny…
for me…had other plans.

I never planned to be a teacher…they're not famous or wealthy…
Is that even a career?
Yet there I was a teacher…for almost 40 years.

I never planned on being a husband, a father, a Pop-Pop
No, these things I never planned to be…
I planned on being a free spirit…not having people who depended on me.

But a teacher, a husband, a father, a Pop-Pop…I am all of the above
How is it possible so many things I never planned…I have come to love?

Speaking for that boy in Ohio…
now a 71 year old man walking with Deborah across the Florida sand….
It's amazing how happy that boy and I are…living the life we never planned.