HOW TIMO MET LEAH
by Sharon Emanuel

There was a young man, who some knew as "Moo,"
"Num," "Moe," "Moti," and "Moneybags" too.

Far and wide many people had heard of this man,
Known 'round the city, for his worship band.

But this young man, was no Mashed Potato,
He was the band leader, his name was Timo.

Now Timo liked comics, computers, guitars,
He was always a blast in a good game of cards.

Whether Uno, Phase 10, or his favourite Rage,
He played like a lion released from its cage.

But while time went by, he began to wonder,
As all of his efforts with girls fell asunder.

"Where is the woman who's my perfect match?
My mother and sister say I'm a good catch."

Then full of dismay, he embarked on a journey,
To find this young woman he was determined.

"If she's not here, living in Ottawa,
I'll go out and find her, even Guatemala.

"Germany, Ecuador, South Africa,
Finland, Japan, even Tanzania."

In USA, England and Egypt he landed,
But, despite all his travels, returned empty-handed.

"Oh Mother!" he cried, "I just can't seem to find,
In all the whole world, a girl to be mine!

"I've searched high and low, around the globe running.
Am I going to be single 'till the second coming?"

"Now, Timo, dear," she said in a calm tone,
"We'll have to keep praying," then hung up the phone.

She wondered herself, if something'd gone wrong,
As Timo had felt he'd been waiting too long.

"Why aren't all the girls knocking down his front door?
He's handsome, intelligent and a whole lot more.

"A nice boy, educated, I needn't despair,
Responsible, polite with a full head of hair.

"The problem must be with the girls he has met,
They haven't found him in the church directory yet.

"They're confused by the J, they all look under Y.
That has to be it," she said with a sigh.

"These young folks are impatient and give up right away.
That must be the reason Annette pronounces the J.

"Well, they're not the right ones to become Jaakkimainens,
The right girl will spell it without any remindin's."

"There must be someone for my Timo out there.
I'll get all of All Saints to pray!" she declared.

Then one day this young man went to Bon Echo Park,
Not just a good time but his life would be marked.

He met a young woman on this camping trip,
When she shook his hand, he felt his heart flip.

"I'm Leah," she said, full of enthusiasm,
"I'm T-Timo", he said as he went into spasm.

"I'm a nurse in training, are you feeling OK?
I think you should sit down, and rest in the shade."

Then Curtis came over looking quite concerned,
With a full understanding of what had occurred.

"I think he'll be fine," he knew just what to say,
"It's just that he's waited so long for this day.

"I know what he needs, we must go into town.
Some chocolate ice cream should help calm him down."

So off they all drove to the town of Northbrook,
Without knowing the adventure they'd just undertook.

It was the beginning of quite a bit more,
Than a search for a key outside the General Store.

For it wasn't the key the car needed to start,
The key that they found was the key to his heart.

The old one had broken, symbolically so,
The new one they'd gotten made his engine go.

So that is how Timo and Leah became friends,
But this is not where our short story ends.

For their friendship developed into a romance,
They knew that their meeting was not just by chance.

They entered an agreement, a courtship they said,
Working towards the day they might wed.

With prayerful hearts they embarked on this journey,
About each other's lives they were eagerly learning.

That's when Timo discovered Leah's lifelong dream,
Was to ride on an Elephant, in style, like a queen.

Unfulfilled it had been, but Timo was determined,
To make it the reality she was yearning'.

He surprised her with a stop at a Toronto zoo,
With Caesar the elephant, her heart he did woo.

And Leah was struck upon her descent,
That this young man, named Timo, had been heaven sent.

Then Timo proceeded to ask Leah's mother,
To grant him her blessing to marry her daughter.

With a miniature version of Caesar in tow,
He placed a ring 'round the elephant's nose.

And knelt down before her on his right knee,
"Leah, I love you, will you marry me?"

Then Leah accepted to no one's surprise,
And they embraced, wiping tears from their eyes.

So today we rejoice with them husband and wife,
As Timo and Leah begin their new life.

And the ride on the elephant was only one,
Of the many fulfilled dreams that will come.

But before I sit down, and my poem ends,
I have a few words, as Timo's long-time friend.

When I got to know Leah I couldn't believe,
What a great match for Timo she was indeed.