William Russell GeLinas has a birthday December 23, 2013

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILLIAM 

We have known you since you were born, watched you grow from a baby to a toddler, then off to Kindergarten; from there to 1st Grade, on through 5th Grade until last spring when you sang your last song at North Elementary School.  We attended most of your concerts and you and the students did so well.  You experienced your moment in the spotlight with a few solos you sang, drums you beat, bells you clanged, guitar you strummed and other musical instruments you tried your hand at.  You gained your basic academic education there, met and made lots of friends, and then it came time to say goodbye and move on.  It meant a new school in September and no more walking to Grandma and Grandpa's house after school.  What a disappointing time for us, but growing up is what it is all about and having new experiences is part of the learning process.

In middle school you joined the football team, the Giants, and we watched you learn to play football a little better and run with your team.  You also joined choir.  Coupled with your studies, karate, scouts and church and all the other things you do, life is an adventure for you.

cousin and brother

Choir performs Dec. 17th

Willy saws down his Christmas tree

 

William is synonymous with ideas.  You have a mind full of them and they come straight from your imagination, sometimes prompted by some outside influence.  What will you become?  William the football player, William the bee keeper, William the fireman, William the vocalist, William the instigator, William the veterinarian, William the dreamer, William the comedian, William the karate teacher, William the house speaker.  You are Grandpa's youngest buddy, William who wants to live a long life and do many things.  Life is full of wonders for you. Grandma and Grandpa are proud of you.

Here is a poem Angie came up with that has "hit the nail on the head."  She has described you very well and it's a very good poem.  Thank you Angie.

SILLY WILLY

Willy is a silly one,

he's really quite a pill.

When he makes up his own mind,

he could move a world that's still.

No, there's no really stopping him,

he has too strong of a will.

That must be how he got his name,

When God sends thoughts down to our brain.

his mother heard it loud and clear,

I'm sending Silly Willy there.

And now the world, when he came,

will never quite be the same.

If with the strength he lives and plays,

he also uses when he prays,

then this world is in for quite a change.

Now football is a game he's found,

Will kicks the ball for anyone around.

You just can see he's having fun,

and that's how any game is won.

He's figured it out very young,

that the most important thing in life,

he has in heaps and bounds.

It's the silliness within his soul,

that he shares with those around.

Yes, he lights the whole world up for miles,

when Willy chooses just to smile.

             WILLY'S FIRST FOOTBALL SEASON

To be on the field with your team, so daring and bold,

making plays that are awesome, is something to behold.

Ready at the scrimmage line to stop the boy blocking you;

the boy who pushed you across the field a yard or two.

You will push harder next time and see him stumble;

you will push and he will push until you see him tumble.

You see the running back zig-zag across the ground,

and others stop him from scoring another touchdown.

For now you just sit on the sideline and wait not so patient,

for the coach to call your number before you grow ancient.

Number 10 calls the coach loudly to your utter dismay;

suspense looms; coach calls again, 3 get out there and play.

Onto the field you run, eager and quick and intense;

it's your turn to play ball and join the line of defense.

You face your opponent with the wide padded shoulders,

a foot taller than you, who looks like a huge boulder.

Caught by the quarterback, the ball is toss through the air;

it soars like a bird, flying straight into the hands of Bear.

Two players closing in but Bear turns still holding the ball;

tackled and down went the three boys, all with a hard fall.

Soon you are back to the line of scrimmage once again,

staring at the wide shouldered boy with that evil grin.

All clad in battle armor and your safeguards in tact;

your shield of arms raised up and you are ready to act.

From the sidelines the crowds go wild, Larry cheers,

"Hospital Willy, knock'em down!" while opponents jeer.

You feel the excitement and the thrill of the game;

team spirit and playing your best will be your true aim.

You are playing in a game that is somewhat like magic;

you run, you shove, and tackle and sometimes it's tragic.

But when the game is over, your team cheers for the other;

then back in school you are just as chummy as brothers.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILLIAM, HAVE A GREAT ONE.  LOVE, GRANDPA AND GRANDMA STARR.

Here's a video we put together for your birthday.  Presenting William: