Z is for Zoanna Marie

I had just finished the introduction to this post last night at around 10:00 when we lost power. It wasn't supposed to come back on for three more hours, and there was no way I was staying up just to make sure I posted on April 30th.
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Unlike most other bloggers, it just so happens that my first name starts with  Z.  And it just so happens that my theme, "Daddy's words," includes a poem he wrote for my birthday in 2001.     If I remember correctly, he had stumbled upon the word pusillanimous, and was itching to use it.

pu·sil·lan·i·mous

ˌpyo͞osəˈlanəməs/

adjective

1. showing a lack of courage or determination; timid.

   synonyms:

   timid, timorous, cowardly, fearful, faint-hearted, lily-livered, spineless,craven, shrinking;

He wanted to describe me as the exact opposite of pusillanimous. At least, in most cases he's right about that.  Or else he sees me as braver than I see myself.

          Zoanna Marie

From young she was social, made friends in an instant
And found pleasure from chatting with all;
Yet her closet friends, she'll say in an instant,
Are her Lord and that fellow named Paul.

She taught her kids to spell and read,
And compete in sports with the best;
Whether soccer or Scrabble, tennis or chess,
She urged them to use their God-given zest.

Now I'd like to tell you he never knew mischief--
Never darted through graveyard on horseback;
Never mangled a bush jumping off neighbor's porch,
Or got grounded for giving us flack.

But then any is hurting she'll comfort with touch
And pray aloud that God may heal.
"Will I die?" asked an injured child.
"No," said Zo. "God will make you wholly well."

She defends our language, that language called English--
On her using it well we are unanimous.
And on matters of values she'll give her views--
None dare say she is pusillanimous.

Another birthday is now in her path--
She can't dodge it, deny it, or bust its chops.
She just takes it in stride, and seems not to mind it--
To all of her kin she is tops.


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And that, my fellow A to Z participants and others, marks the end of this challenge. I'm zapped of energy. I've got zero, zilch, nada left to give after 26 letters. Congratulations to all who stuck it out.
We deserve a medal, or a ribbon, or chocolate. Something!