Tribute To Mom And Dad

Her parents thought she was old enough
though she was so very young the first time that he met the girl.
The parents all thought they should wed,
that's just how things were done ...in their world.
Not even sixteen when he took her for his wife
I'm sure everyone believed the two would have a good life.
A child came along every couple of years
and they loved each one, they held them all very dear.
Times were hard back in the early thirties
country life then meant sweat and blood and getting dirty.
He put together all the buildings on the farm
with his own two hands and the strength of his arms.
She washed all their clothes on an old scrubbing board
the aching back,the roughened hands were all things to be ignored.
And every morning no matter what kind of weather
she had cows to milk and hoped there would be eggs to gather.
There were no sons borne to help him with his labors
she always helped though, so did the girls and sometimes a neighbor.
Their children were all girls, all lived, and there was seven of them.
The girls were all pretty and they grew up healthy, strong and trim.
That was a whole lot of mouths for a man to feed in those days
it wasn't easy for any of them but they raised all those girls
they managed...someway.
They never complained, they did the very best they could do
there wasn't much to work with, the comforts in their life were few.
It was a hard life that he and the young girl had to endure
but they were there for their daughters, always strong, always pure.
A grandma to take care of, she lived there with them too.
She helped out in many ways, lots of things she was able to do.
They're all gone now they've passed on to a much better place
They stayed with us while they could but time always wins the race
The only thing left of the old home place is the stately old oak tree
but memories come to mind when I close my eyes... that I still see.
Most of the sisters are with us still, and most have known a good life
but, without exception all have known their share of pain and strife.
They got together once in awhile, though seldom all at the same time
each had a path to follow through life's uncertain rythm and rhyme.
In fact all seven got together only one time after about fifty years
it was a very special gathering, there was laughter, there was tears.
Very soon after that reunion, one of the sisters had to go away
they miss her very much but know they'll be together again someday.
These folks will be remembered by these lines here that I write
their memories will live forever in a soft, warm, gentle light.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Helen Thomas