A Lasting Experience

By Ray Houghton

Here we all are stuck in Pearl River

After the first long day we all started to quiver.

We were forced to do things we had never dreamed of.

And all they could tell us is to try and have fun.

We all came together to sit and ponder,

And try to agree which road to wander.

We asked ourselves once and then twice,

Do we really understand and have we paid the price.

So we've come down this road through the mud and the muck,

And found the real problem is getting unstuck.

With that understood we all built a way,

to help one another when we started to stray.

The Box Busters are great at what they do,

they slowed down a little then my how they grew.

The told us we had to get out of the box.

It seems they are as smart as an old gray fox.

The Swans jumped in and they started to swim,

and in the beginning things look somewhat dim.

Now here they are all grown and strong

with the strength to last a life time long.

The navigators were there to show us the way

with good enlightenment to brighten each day.

The Oz's might not have come as quick

but what they've learned will surely stick.

We're proud to see how far you've come,

so now sit back and have some fun.

Then finally the geese took to the sky

we all came together we laughed till we cried.

The sky grew dark and it started to rain,

We all decided how to best ease the pain.

And now we are done and it's time to head home.

When things get tough you are not alone.

Sometimes it seemed like we sere cut to the bone

Then along came our friends to help us get home.

We've shared a special bond I will never forget.

I will strive for my goals until they are met.

So thank you all so very much,

for sharing with me your own special touch.

Good luck to you all in all that you do,

We will all stand behind you Forever True Blue.