
* Illustration reference:
Photo by Shalyn Nelson of her grandparents
Wanda and Joe.
They’ve always been there as sturdy as oak
A fountain of wisdom, each word they have spoke
Their presence you seek, when a jam you are in
For a gentle back-pat or soft chuck on the chin
Their lives full of worry, you haven’t a clue
As they work really hard just to keep it from you
Yet there’d be no surprise if when given a choice
They’d never give up all the mess and the noise
It’s the chaos of life that is also most merry
Makes lighter the weight of the load we all carry
This fast moving train that is speeding with fury
The landscape we pass is so unclear and blurry
We must hang on to what we feel is most stable
And often it’s them who appears strong and able
They offer relief though their own back is breaking
And often they give so much more than they’re taking
And when they are gone, oh their presence is missed
The things left unsaid make the saddest of lists
We wish and we stress that our thanks were still felt
We’d take sharp words back if we thought it could help
There’s little good anguish can do in the end
Don’t live with the heartache lamenting can’t mend
Instead fill your soul with the best memories
The warmth that they bring will set your mind at ease
Their spirit is what the best dreams are made of
And peace comes in knowing they loved and were loved…
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