The Gift
He had spent his youthful summers on Cape Ann,
but life, as it has a way of doing, took him many miles away
to a place where his kids were born and are growing up
not knowing Stage Fort, or the harbor, or the people of Gloucester.
They have never seen the brave souls on the greasy pole
or splashed in the Good Harbor surf, or, until this day, stood
on a rock watching the fishing boats live out the traditions of
nearly 400 years that began on this precise spot.
So he gave his kids a gift, one that they will remember
and cherish and make them think of him well after they
are grown and have children of their own;
a gift that only a parent can give.
On this lovely day in July he brought them to Gloucester
and showed them around and told them stories
of his summers in this place and gave them
a part of his life that they will keep forever.
© Marty Luster 2012
Good Morning Gloucester 
Thank you for this! My father did exactly that and Gloucester/Rockport is still one of my favorite places to be. I think it always will be. My father and his family used to summer there, way back when, and the stories that have come from it are priceless. Now we take our children there, hoping they will take their children there. Again, thank you!
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You are something else, Marty. You give us all a gift with every poem and picture. Thank you.
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Lucky kids to have such a rich connection with their Dad, and for him to have the same with his parents. . . . Lucky us – to get gifts from you AND to live here!
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And they will not realize until much later what they have been given…
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Yes Marty, thank you. You put into words the emotion and connection we all have for Gloucester.
Born there, raised there, moved there or vacationed there ~ it’s all the same ~ you never leave in your heart. When I was a child, my grandparents had a guest house on Bass Rocks. When the guests left, we said good bye ~ they looked at us ~ then out to the ocean ~ then back to us saying,
“we will never forget this place.”. Most came back year after year, sharing stories of the year before, living your poem, your beautiful poem. Thank you ~ Hold Fast
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