»
Archives
»
The Corner Pub
»
Grandma
| The Corner Pub |
|
Grandma |
|
Joyce Johnson
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912Washington State 
|
No one has called me on the phone. It will be a lonely day. The lovely days of early spring, Aren't quite enough today. When I feel sorry for myself, When I think I have it bad; I just think of my little grandma And the heavy load she had. She measured only five feet tall, With her stooped shoulders, even shorter. She was towered over by her strapping son, My mother and each other daughter. Grandma came from sturdy stock. On her own strength, she relied; To raise her five young children, After my grandpa died. Mother was only six years old, Barely remembering when Her daddy died of consumption. That's what they called TB then. There was no such thing as welfare, So Grandma was left alone, To find a way that she could raise Her family on her own. Opportunities for women Before the First World War Were almost non-existent. The wolf was at their door. So my grandma took in washing, Ironing and clothes to mend. The enormity of her labors, I can't even comprehend. I have pictures of her and her family All so neatly dressed In crisp white dresses and starched shirt, Attired in their Sunday best. Did her chidren know the sacrifice, How this woman had to strive, To see they were fed and sheltered, And to keep them all alive? My memories of my grandma, Are when she was old and alone. She was frail and ill, but managed To face life on her own. She had her little garden, And planted it by the moon. She bragged that no one in the town Was eating fresh peas as soon. I never heard her grumble, About her difficult life; Or that she had been a widow So much longer than a wife. My grandma had the steely will, That has made this nation grow. Without her kind, we wouldn't have The ease that we now know. So when ever the days are lonely And I'm feeling sorry for myself, I try to remember Grandma, Take her album from the shelf. Surrounded by life's luxuries, Of the kind she never knew; I wonder at my grandma And the way she battled through. She barely knew of radio, And would have been enchanted, With television and its wonders, Which we take so much for granted. Grandma was a true pioneer. Her road was long and rough. Her granddaughter should be ashamed, To claim she has it tough. My daddy saw she didn't want For groceries and such. So thankful for the girl she'd raised, The wife he loved so much. I salute you Grandma and I loved you. I was proud to call you Gram. And no one needs to to tell me, You were of sterner stuff than I am. By Joyce 10/10/2000 [This message has been edited by Joyce Johnson (edited 05-03-2001).] |
||
| © Copyright 2001 Joyce I Johnson - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
Songbird Member Elite
since 1999-12-15
Posts 2184Missouri |
Nice tribute to your grandmother..we certainly do have it easy compared to the life our Grandma's lived and like you said they took it all in stride. |
||
|
2dalimit Member Elite
since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228Mississippi coast |
Melton |
||
Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Dear Joyce: I enjoyed your poem so much. Both my grandmothers were very tiny women and had hard lives. Looking at their pictures it's hard to imagine they could find the strength to do what they had to. You're right, I doubt if we are made of such sturdy stuff! Betty Lou Hebert |
||
|
laryalee Member
since 2000-06-19
Posts 352Alberta, Canada |
Joyce, this is so full of feeling...I, too remember a special Grandma, with such fondness and admiration. I cannot achieve that same acceptance of life - I wish I could. It's almost as though the more knowledge we gain and the more we rely on the world of progress the less we rely on our own inner selves... This is very thought-provoking in its way, as well as a wonderful tribute.... Lary |
||
|
Xeonox
since 2000-04-01
Posts 1764CA, USA |
nice poem. I do not want to say more for this is a personal poem, something we all nice to say about.  Ronil (One becomes god only when they have fully understood the role of being a human being.) |
||
|
~DreamChild~ Senior Member
since 2001-04-23
Posts 544in your dreams |
this is a wonderful heart-felt tribute of admiration. enough to make any grandmother melt. great job here. thanks for sharing. |
||
|
kaile
since 2000-02-06
Posts 5146singapore |
i enjoy reading about your grandmother...i think she might have more such lessons to teach me...write on, will you? |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
