Poems for Preston(or other kids)- by Travis Peck

Measuring up

Would you do me a favor and measure me,

No matter how hard I can not see,

The top of my head keeps moving around,

I keep trying to see but fall on the ground,

Head over heels I flip and I flop,

I wish I could measure from bottom to top,

My arms won’t reach and my tape is to short,

Moms are good help with problems this sort.

Up on my toes

Thank goodness thank goodness,

I’m finally here,

Just tall enough to go way up there!

I’ve dreamed of this moment,

Since life first began,

Now the days finally here, flatfooted I stand.

I’m next in line, I see the sign,

Must be this tall,

To ride on this ride.

I step one more step and just by a nose,

I’m still to short, but wait…

Not up on my toes.

  

Mud Pies with Flies

My mother will love it,

She’s my biggest fan,

She’ll be astounded,

I used her best pan.

It’s like no creation,

That I’ve ever made,

Not the pickled rock soup,

Or the hot lemonade.

Much better than raw chicken,

Cooked in the sun,

Or the melted cheese and worms,

On a hot dog bun.

 

It goes far beyond,

My dog fur surprise,

It’s better than grass pasta,

And pinecone fries.

I’ll have chef status,

At the fair first prize,

When mom eats my signature dish,

Mud pies with flies.

Helen keeps Yellin 

Excuse me Mrs. Clark,

But could you please,

Tell Helen to stop yellin,

She’s making me sneeze.

I know it sounds crazy,

But each time she shouts,

My nose loses control,

And stuff starts flying out.

Helen keeps Yellin,

And it makes my skin crawl,

She just did it again,

Now my skins on the wall.

I do hate to bother you,

I know you are busy,

But Helen keeps yellin,

And it’s making me dizzy.

The room it is spinning,

My brain can not focus,

Helen keeps yellin,

It’s no hocus pocus.

I’m afraid if she doesn’t,

Stop all this distracting,

I won’t be able to control,

How I’m acting.

The Oklahoma City bombing / Children's influences

April 19th 1995 – I was only twelve years old that day my home state was rocked by a domestic terrorist act, the largest in US history. My only connection with the bombing was living in the same state. No family members or friends were lost. I was in the sixth grade at Central Upper Elementary. We watched the news briefly but were shielded from most of the coverage. I don’t remember having fear, only joking about a yellow Ryder truck parked out front of our school a few days later. Making it a joke made it easier.

We knew life was lost and yet our days continued without delay. The world didn’t as they say, come to a halt. We didn’t question our life goals or reflect on how we could become better people, it was just elementary school. Not until September 11, 2001 as freshmen in college would my generation assess the world in a new light. I haven’t heard much more about the bombing other than the occasional visit to the memorial and the class trip to hang items on the makeshift chain link barricade shortly after the event. It was not until yesterday when I learned more about the story behind the bombing.

I just finished watching a special on the Oklahoma City bombing. It was focused mostly on the man behind the attack, Timothy McVeigh. All I could think as I watched the story unfold was ‘how did a little innocent child become a man possessed?’ Sure they told his back story of being bullied as a child and the perfect fit he was for military service, but surely there must be a perfect storm of mental problems that would lead a young man to terrorize his fellow Americans.

After a long afternoon of learning some not so pleasant details about the kids in our neighborhood, I guess my brain just connected the two issues. At some point our children are on their own in both public and private situations and it is up to them how they will respond. It scares the hell out of me to think that a perfectly “normal” child with above average intelligence can become so jaded or skewed in their views.

I hate the idea that a human can have thoughts so negative.

They pointed out that McVeigh not only shown sympathy for the Waco Branch Davidians but in fact was at the sight during a portion of the standoff. He said it was a travesty that the government would kill these innocent gun loving people. His motivations for the Oklahoma City bombing were more than only that event but his “logic” couldn’t be more off base.

Children need a fair shake. Not only does it help to have a peaceful upbringing but a stable support system. We are influenced by so many factors in the early years it is hard to know what will stick. It is a funny feeling; I am torn between hoping my son will be a more powerful positive influence and keeping him away from the “bad” kids. What if his levelheaded approach keeps the others out of trouble? What if the peer pressure is too much and he submits?

I like to think that individuals like McVeigh are few and far between. However, I think everyone is capable of extreme thoughts and actions but most choose to contain them and never act upon them. We all fight our demons and in the end hopefully control them. Dealing with these issues can take many forms. Writing, working out, running, baking, eating, reading, building, creating and destroying. Through religion and faith we often find peace, but in some cases even the ideas behind scripture can be twisted into words of hate. It is up to us to keep our children on the right path by teaching good and bad, right and wrong.

They also mentioned that McVeigh did not have a family to speak of, no real connections with his parents or grandparents and had no wife or children. The loneliness and individualism helps breed a position of disconnection from society and in his case a total lack of respect for life. Only we can show our son how important family and life are and the connection between happiness and self-control.

You don’t have to be a robot, but you don’t have to be extreme to be noticed or loved. There are ways to get a point across without harming others and in words we find power beyond our means. Making good decisions or right decisions are not always easy. I don’t fear for our son becoming a monster, but a victim of a monster. We can’t protect him forever but for now that is my only true function.

I would be naive to think that something like the OKC bombing will not happen in his lifetime. As the world becomes more global and technology continues to surpass our wildest imaginations and our population expands, the acts of aggression or retaliation will likely increase. I hope for a bright future. I hope my son is among the leaders helping drive positive messages and acts. I hope for many great things for him and will work diligently toward making those hopes reality.

The OKC bombing was a tragedy that could have possibly been prevented with a guiding hand. What if the other men involved would have had the guts to step up and stop it? What if McVeigh would have found help? ‘What if’ doesn’t get those 168 lives back, but it does help us see how human connections drive society in both the positive and the negative. I don’t know if the boys in our neighborhood are beyond help but I don’t see how reaching out to them could hurt. Some kids just need somebody to look up to and others just need a good friend, maybe we can provide both.

Kids are like little humans.

My son is eight years old and an only child.

I don’t claim to be the best father on the planet but likely top five. I can’t compete with millionaires when it comes to gift giving but that is the beauty part of being a father, time is worth more than money. These are just a few observations I have found in the first eight years raising an only child. Those of you with multiple babes; I can’t even fathom the work and differences that would present. If you don’t have any kids yet, maybe someday you will and you can learn something from this. Otherwise I hope you see that life is humor and with a kid around humor is life.

When you first get pregnant everyone is full of advise most of which pertains to sleep, food and keys to success. Old or young parents everyone has an opinion on the secrets to parenthood. Don’t tell anyone but here are a few of the real secrets.

When asked, “Dad can I stay up five more minutes?”

Don’t answer. This is a trick question and in fact a beginning to a negotiation you will lose.

When asked, “So… do you hide the eggs?”

Always respond with a question, “What do you think?” or “Would you be disappointed if I did?” This will keep him thinking, while also allowing you time to gauge his emotional state.

When asked, “Can I play Wii/go ride bikes/play on the computer/ watch a show?”

Take this opportunity to capitalize on their willingness to do chores in order to enjoy other activities.

When asked… Anything about sex.

Become a scientist, speak in terms they may or may not understand and allow their little brains to produce fantastical imagery. They will be confused and yet informed. Never lie, it will come back and bite you.

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It is a scary world out there and between tv/movies/internet they know more than we ever did at whatever age they have reached. Both my wife and I graduated college and as a communications major my ability and willingness to hear myself speak comes with some transference of vocabulary, wit and over all smart-assedness. When asked if he was going to play a game this past weekend he crossed his arms leaned back in his chair and said, “I am still currently contemplating my decision.” Love that kid.

As far as I can tell being an only child is kind of like being a constant third wheel. The goal as parents is not making them feel that way. He doesn’t rule our world but we do make decisions that often revolve around him. He gets all the benefits of having two people focused on his every move, yet misses the benefits of a sibling. We didn’t have one child by choice; we are unable to naturally have others. Some might say this is a God thing and I agree. If we had another one this smart we would be working for them. It takes all we have to keep up with one!

I think that time spent with your child is the best possible use of time. Throwing a ball, playing video games, church, school functions, family stuff, parties and anything social will bring you that much closer together and they will respect your opinions and your authority that much more if you can connect with what makes them tick. Kids are so easily influenced and so eager to learn. We just hope between the two of us we can handle the homework. The more involved the better, you can’t over do it when it comes to participation.

When you plan on having a child or don’t really plan at all, that child is going to change your life. You might think about watching them at their first dance recital or t-ball game, but rarely do you think of explaining racism or death. I used to wonder why my parents knew so much and now I see they were learning this whole time. You never stop learning and with a kid you are forced to reflect and decide what type of person you want them to be. We only have a few short years to be THE guiding source before they are making decisions on their own. Our only hope is that we have instilled a moral compass that is both strong and easy to follow.

(We have only skimmed the surface on this topic and I plan on posting some funny stories and other "parenting tips". I gave my son the green light to ask anything and you can be sure he will. Hopefully it will make for some fun writing and reading.)