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Joyce Johnson
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Member Rara Avis
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912
Washington State

0 posted 2003-08-06 08:44 PM


that Special Day

My mother saved her everything
For that one special day.
She didn't want to fracture it
Or wear it out too fast.
She'd come throught the Great Depression
And had learned every way
To stretch out her tiny budget
And make things last and last.

We, her children gathered sadly
On Mother's special day.
She looked so peaceful lying there
Dressed in her very best.
We found all the gifts we'd sent her
Lovingly tucked away.
She could take none of them with her,
On this, her final rest.

We all cried as we surveyed it,
Jewelry and lingerie
That we had selected for her
Because we loved her so.
In her topmost dresser drawer
She'd hidden them away.
The bright day that she had in mind
Is something we can't know.

I just stopped to write this poem
And I haven't made my bed.
The sunny day is beckoning
As I slip out the door.
Rather than picking flowers
I should sweep my floor instead.
I am saving all my pleasures
For a special day no more.

If I should die tomorrow
You will find I died with flare.
There'll be nothing in my closet
I haven't worn once or twice.
I'll not be caught dead with any
But my silk underwear.
Leave no gift in store wrappings
Because it is too nice.

That special day may never come.
This day could be my last.
I am not about to waste it
On some vague likelihood
That there might be a better day
After this one has past.
I am savoring each moment
Exactly as I should.

Joyce Johnson 8/06/03

© Copyright 2003 Joyce I Johnson - All Rights Reserved
DawnG
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Senior Member
since 2000-06-23
Posts 1494
United States
1 posted 2003-08-06 11:56 PM


Joyce,

This is a beautiful poem. Thank you for writing it. I'm off to write some e mails.

                      Dawn

SharaRose
Member Elite
since 2003-07-19
Posts 2501
Somewhere out there~
2 posted 2003-08-07 12:03 PM


My grandmother was this way. She was afraid to spend money but she worked when my grandfather wouldn't. They had 7 children and at the time she made around 2 to 3 dollars a week. It was awful for her. It was not an easy existence at all. This reminded me of stories my grandmother would tell. Thank you for the memories of my dear grand mama. She even told me about a time she saw the first light switch being switched on. A woman of wealth not in money, but in soul.

SharaRose @-->--

Of sound, and speech let all lift the hearer!

gringakiwi
Member
since 2003-08-05
Posts 189

3 posted 2003-08-07 01:21 AM


This is great, I feel like I can relate to you, wondering about what people wait for.
My grandfather died last week and we were amazed when we cleaned out his closet, at all the things he had hidden away that we never knew about. It certainly makes you realise that you might as well live everyday as if it were your last!

[This message has been edited by gringakiwi (08-08-2003 04:18 AM).]

aries_luv_ppl
Senior Member
since 2001-09-20
Posts 1448
Universal Mind
4 posted 2003-08-07 02:11 PM


This is touching. Just remind me I ought to give thanks more often. Thank you Joyce for the poem.

Eliza Simmons
~Every girl has a dream within.
~Yesterday insult, today gain.

Trillium
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Member Patricius
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098
Idaho, USA
5 posted 2003-08-07 04:51 PM


Joyce:  I loved your poem and it does make me realize again, how each day is precious and we need to treasure it!  Very nice work.

Betty Lou Hebert

Marge Tindal
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Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
6 posted 2003-08-07 06:07 PM


Joyce~
Such wisdom in your beautiful telling~

Each holiday that comes around .. (or just because it's a Monday or Thursday) I gift back to my children little things they've given me over the years.
They are always so amazed that I hung on to the things~

Giving them back while I can see their reactions is priceless~

Your write is lovely dear lady~
*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com

pegasus111
Member Elite
since 2000-07-27
Posts 2219
ocala, fl, usa
7 posted 2003-08-08 07:17 AM


this is a wonderful write dear Joyce. the concept is so true. Sometimes I wonder if I am living life to it's fullest.

the woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep, and many miles to go before I sleep...Frost



NewEnglandlazurlu
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-01-04
Posts 7470
A Mountain Paradise
8 posted 2003-08-08 04:07 PM


"Dance like it's the last day of your life."

Joyce, my aunt is the same way, learned from her mother, my grandmother. How dreadfully sad so many cannot enjoy life and it's gifts. But those who survived the great depression, did so by being frugal.

Thank you for writing such a sad but thoughtful lesson.

Hugs, Marti

cusick
Senior Member
since 2003-07-27
Posts 668

9 posted 2003-08-09 06:21 AM


Joyce this is a lovely poem showing how time once was and the way your grandmother appreciates the small things in life. A lesson to be learned. maggie
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