MY.....LOVING.......BROTHER. Feb 13 2024

       '80'         OCTOGENARIAN        '80'                   .The year was 1944,                                                    With grandfathers, both Scottish,            ...A  February morn,                                                  Twas often said, by he,                          ..To the town of Carrickfergus,                            A 'Scotsman born in exile',                   ..A  little babe was born.                                     So being "hame" 'twould be.

..The first born son to Florrie & Bob,               A lithe Scots lass then caught his eye,       ..There would be many more,                          The young Joyce Harris, she,                    ..Alas the male folk only, thrived,                    Nineteen seventy, September fourth,       ..His mother's heart was sore.                            To wedlock, would agree. 

  .He did excel at primary school,                     A family they soon started,                    . .Then, 'Royal Academy',                                You're given what you've got,               .  A  growing family made the move                And while he would have loved a son,   .  To live in Glengormley.                                  Two daughters was their lot.

   At age fifteen to Grand Central,                      With past'ral charges to his name,

   Some catering to learn,                                  The country, travelled 'round,                .  A master chef took him on board,                  Shepherding many families,                  .  Experience to earn.                                         Ne'er knew where he'd be found.

   With father, as 'drum major'                            From Chancellor Street in Partick,           .  In 'Star of Eden' band,                                    Through Bellshill, Tulli-B,                        .  This young lad helped to keep the beat,         Soon, Coatbridge, also Motherwell       .  His timing's really grand.                                 And Wishaw, would him see.                                                                                                                                            

       

He cruised the world aboard a ship,          Then back to school he ventured

As chef, to the elite.                                  R.E. and History teach,                      

        The ‘ORIANA’ was his home,                      At least he had his weekends off,           '       'Twas sure he had webbed feet.                 When he'd be asked to preach.

    Believe that’s where he learnt to swim,         Historic event he'd teach on,                                    .  {If memory serves me right, }                        { Remember being told, }                 

   "Sink or swim", was the command,                Had happened in his lifetime.               

    So water, - he did fight.                                 “Awwww Sir, you’re just so old"

    Just do not ask him what he did                   Vacationing in Europe          

    In Tokyo that year,                                         In their touring caravan,

    Olympic village, 'sixty four,                           Retired, a while, in 'La Belle France'

    With photographic gear.                                A 'proper gentleman'.                       

    Returned home in his twenties,                    So now it’s 2024

    Heard call to ministry,                                   We trust he'll see another,   

    To Bible Training Institute,                             He's an 'Octogenarian'.             

    Received there, hIs degree.                             But aye, .....my.....loving....brother.

                                                                                                                      Colin Ross