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And the Winner Is…

Posted By: Randy GageDecember 26, 2009

Okay another Christmas behind us, and another chance for you to try your poetry chops at the Clement Clarke Moore classic.   And once again, you guys played full out and had a lot of fun.

The entries ranged from whimsical, to simply dreadful, to really clever.  See them here: And I must say it was delightful to see so many of you working in elements from the work we do all year, showing you really are part of the community.

But let’s not keep you in suspense any longer.  I know many of you are wondering if you won a night of hot steamy sex with me!

Honorable mention for stellar effort goes to Angela M.C.D'Alton, Greg M, Tess Katz, Joe, Sam Patton, and Cristina for slipping in a plug for Ron Paul!  Likewise there were enchanting efforts from Jim Barber, MembershipJedi and the lovely and talented John Milton Fogg.

But after much deliberation, the winner is…

a tie between Brian Reeves and KimbraLee DeSantis!

Congratulations to them both.  And I’m sure either would be disappointed if they had to fight over the 100K or the Viper instead of a night of steamy sex with me, so I’ve decided they will both receive honorable mention in this blog post!

Happy holiday everyone.  I hope you’ll take this week as a chance to reflect on the year, build your dreams, and make plans for an amazing New Year!

-RG

11 comments on “And the Winner Is…”

  1. Thanks again Randy!
    I took a couple days off the computer to feed 50 people for Christmas Eve, sing a concert. But your Night before Christmas....was delightful. I needed the laugh. I thought I would share with you a poem written by a community I belong to. My 10yr. old is autistic. Your wisdom and encouragement really help me to think outside the box and never give up, to know that there are answers to every question and success behind every cloud.

    Twas the Night Before Christmas
    And all through the house
    The creatures were stirring
    Yes, even the mouse

    We tried melatonin
    And gave a hot bath
    Asleep early for Christmas?
    ...an unlikely path

    The children were finally
    All nestled in bed
    When visions of Christmas
    Ran through my OWN head

    Did I get the right gift?
    The right color and style?
    Would there be a blank stare
    Or even, maybe, a smile?

    Friends & family come
    But they don't understand
    The pleasure he gets
    Just from bending his hands.

    "Just make him stop it," some say
    "Just tell him "no",
    You must learn to be tough.."
    On, and on they do go...

    We smile and nod
    Because we know deep inside
    The debate is moot
    Let them all take a side

    We know what it's like
    To live with the spectrum
    The struggles and triumphs
    Achievements, regressions….

    But what some don't know
    And what some don't see
    Is the joy that we feel
    Over simplicity.

    He said "hello"!
    He ate something green!
    He looked me in my eyes
    He did not cause a scene!

    He peed on the potty!
    Who cares if he's ten;
    He stopped saying the same thing
    Again and again!"

    Some others don't realize
    Just how we can cope
    How we bravely hang on
    At the end of our rope

    But what they don't see
    Is the joy we can't hide
    When our children with autism
    Make the tiniest stride

    We may look at others
    Without the problems we face
    With envy, with wonder,
    Or even distaste,

    What we want them to know
    What's important to see
    Is that children with autism
    Bring simplicity.

    We don't get excited
    Over expensive things
    We jump for joy
    With the progress work brings

    Children with autism
    Try so hard every day
    That they make us proud
    More than words can say.

    They work even harder
    Than you or I
    To achieve something small
    To reach a star in the sky

    So to those who don't get it
    Or can't get a clue
    Take a walk in our shoes
    And I'll assure you…

    That even 10 minutes
    Into the walk
    You'll look at us all
    With respect, even shock.

    You will realize
    What it is we go through
    And the next time you see us
    I can assure you

    That you won't say a thing
    You'll be quiet and learn,
    Like the years I learned too
    When the tables were turned.

    "The person who says it cannot be done
    should not interrupt the person doing it"

    Thanks for the encouragement and my personal gain, you help me be a better person. x0x0x0x0x0x Kathleen

  2. Just read your announcement Randy! And for the 'honorable' mention with my peer poet I am ... so 'honored'!!! 😉

    Thank you for all the expansive thinking you share and for your endless work helping others slay the dragons of their limitations! And best of all ... thanks for having a sense of humor while doing it and modeling how life is supposed to be lived ... having FUN! I truly appreciate you!

    Here's to an AMAZING 2010!

    KimbraLee =)

  3. I was arrive to late.... oh! Oh my!

    When out on the lawn, arose such a racket,
    I am so sad now, emptiness in my heart pocket,
    Looking after the beauty of life, where it is?
    I was full enough to believe that there is bliss…

    I can’t continue anymore, I’m not an English speaker, so I don’t want to spoil it, I love English!

    Randy, I know that I am out of the subject, but I still need just a quarter of the prize to can live further… With all the shame that i feel, I must try to get out of my situation, so I give it a shoot…
    I am now where you was once, so I hope that you will read this and, if it is possible, help me.
    Here in my country it is hard to get up, but I will…
    Blessings,

  4. Kathleen~
    Amazing poem. Much love and respect for what you endure in taking care of your son. Have a nephew with a lower level of autism - very challenging. Don't know how my sister has done it all these years. Try the book To Love is to Be Happy With. Heard it's excellent for parents with autistic children. Can't say for sure, haven't read it myself.
    Sending you peace and prayers!
    Linda Roach

  5. Randy, Thank you for all that you do!!! I am just catching up on all the posts and I am sitting here in tears and laughter!!!

    Kathleen, this poem is absolutely beautiful. As the mother of a six yr old son who has autism, every line resonated with me. As he runs around flapping and making all his "noises" it makes me smile, I am so glad God chose me to be his mom, even with all the fustrations and challenges. I would love to keep a copy and post and pass it on to others with your permission!

    All the Best!
    Nivia

  6. Guys - I would also read SONRISE by the same author - Barry Neil Kauffman. It helped me tremendously turn a boy around with autism that I fostered.... All his self-destructive (hitting, beating head against the wall, rocking, ect) and growling behaviours stopped while I worked with him. It truly amazed me how it changed things for him.
    xox

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  • 11 comments on “And the Winner Is…”

    1. Thanks again Randy!
      I took a couple days off the computer to feed 50 people for Christmas Eve, sing a concert. But your Night before Christmas....was delightful. I needed the laugh. I thought I would share with you a poem written by a community I belong to. My 10yr. old is autistic. Your wisdom and encouragement really help me to think outside the box and never give up, to know that there are answers to every question and success behind every cloud.

      Twas the Night Before Christmas
      And all through the house
      The creatures were stirring
      Yes, even the mouse

      We tried melatonin
      And gave a hot bath
      Asleep early for Christmas?
      ...an unlikely path

      The children were finally
      All nestled in bed
      When visions of Christmas
      Ran through my OWN head

      Did I get the right gift?
      The right color and style?
      Would there be a blank stare
      Or even, maybe, a smile?

      Friends & family come
      But they don't understand
      The pleasure he gets
      Just from bending his hands.

      "Just make him stop it," some say
      "Just tell him "no",
      You must learn to be tough.."
      On, and on they do go...

      We smile and nod
      Because we know deep inside
      The debate is moot
      Let them all take a side

      We know what it's like
      To live with the spectrum
      The struggles and triumphs
      Achievements, regressions….

      But what some don't know
      And what some don't see
      Is the joy that we feel
      Over simplicity.

      He said "hello"!
      He ate something green!
      He looked me in my eyes
      He did not cause a scene!

      He peed on the potty!
      Who cares if he's ten;
      He stopped saying the same thing
      Again and again!"

      Some others don't realize
      Just how we can cope
      How we bravely hang on
      At the end of our rope

      But what they don't see
      Is the joy we can't hide
      When our children with autism
      Make the tiniest stride

      We may look at others
      Without the problems we face
      With envy, with wonder,
      Or even distaste,

      What we want them to know
      What's important to see
      Is that children with autism
      Bring simplicity.

      We don't get excited
      Over expensive things
      We jump for joy
      With the progress work brings

      Children with autism
      Try so hard every day
      That they make us proud
      More than words can say.

      They work even harder
      Than you or I
      To achieve something small
      To reach a star in the sky

      So to those who don't get it
      Or can't get a clue
      Take a walk in our shoes
      And I'll assure you…

      That even 10 minutes
      Into the walk
      You'll look at us all
      With respect, even shock.

      You will realize
      What it is we go through
      And the next time you see us
      I can assure you

      That you won't say a thing
      You'll be quiet and learn,
      Like the years I learned too
      When the tables were turned.

      "The person who says it cannot be done
      should not interrupt the person doing it"

      Thanks for the encouragement and my personal gain, you help me be a better person. x0x0x0x0x0x Kathleen

    2. Just read your announcement Randy! And for the 'honorable' mention with my peer poet I am ... so 'honored'!!! 😉

      Thank you for all the expansive thinking you share and for your endless work helping others slay the dragons of their limitations! And best of all ... thanks for having a sense of humor while doing it and modeling how life is supposed to be lived ... having FUN! I truly appreciate you!

      Here's to an AMAZING 2010!

      KimbraLee =)

    3. I was arrive to late.... oh! Oh my!

      When out on the lawn, arose such a racket,
      I am so sad now, emptiness in my heart pocket,
      Looking after the beauty of life, where it is?
      I was full enough to believe that there is bliss…

      I can’t continue anymore, I’m not an English speaker, so I don’t want to spoil it, I love English!

      Randy, I know that I am out of the subject, but I still need just a quarter of the prize to can live further… With all the shame that i feel, I must try to get out of my situation, so I give it a shoot…
      I am now where you was once, so I hope that you will read this and, if it is possible, help me.
      Here in my country it is hard to get up, but I will…
      Blessings,

    4. Kathleen~
      Amazing poem. Much love and respect for what you endure in taking care of your son. Have a nephew with a lower level of autism - very challenging. Don't know how my sister has done it all these years. Try the book To Love is to Be Happy With. Heard it's excellent for parents with autistic children. Can't say for sure, haven't read it myself.
      Sending you peace and prayers!
      Linda Roach

    5. Randy, Thank you for all that you do!!! I am just catching up on all the posts and I am sitting here in tears and laughter!!!

      Kathleen, this poem is absolutely beautiful. As the mother of a six yr old son who has autism, every line resonated with me. As he runs around flapping and making all his "noises" it makes me smile, I am so glad God chose me to be his mom, even with all the fustrations and challenges. I would love to keep a copy and post and pass it on to others with your permission!

      All the Best!
      Nivia

    6. Guys - I would also read SONRISE by the same author - Barry Neil Kauffman. It helped me tremendously turn a boy around with autism that I fostered.... All his self-destructive (hitting, beating head against the wall, rocking, ect) and growling behaviours stopped while I worked with him. It truly amazed me how it changed things for him.
      xox

    Leave a Reply to Kathleen Caldwell Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


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