And her short bread biscuits were simply to die for,
not to mention her sweet potato and macaroni & cheese,
and I'll never forget the Christmas Mock Crayfish,
the best ever. (Would you like some more? Yes, please!)
94 wonderful years full of hard work, fun and excitement,
Vivian was the last of her generation and truly loved by all,
she celebrated life and taught us all to do the same,
and to pick yourself up whenever you stumble or fall.
(NAME) had numerous stories about her childhood,
the farm, walking to school and having the first Model T,
and I remember as a child myself, trips to Aunt (NAME),
we'd play with the cousins (and that was a great place to be).
You gave me the courage to follow in your steps,
and at the end of day, that?s the greatest gift of all,
as Dad, because of you I walk taller,
in fact, I feel like I?m ten feel tall!
I'd also like to say Happy 75th Birthday,
I guess that's really what these words are for,
here's to you, <NAME>, you're truly wonderful,
and here's to our everlasting love, for evermore.
In fact, you used to give in to my every wish
and to her favourite person, you just couldn't say "No",
but I also know that if I needed someone to talk to,
well, I knew exactly where I should go.
She loved the Lord and shared that gift with us all,
she had a big heart and taught us all how to give,
she was always thinking of and doing for others,
in truth, I think she taught us all how to live.
However, it wasn't shining so brightly on your birthday,
if I recall (you won't remember), you were twenty one,
so wasted, you had to be carried up the stairs by a friend,
that night, certainly, your drinking days were done.
But maybe I'll finish by looking skywards,
and thinking of Grandma, in her bikini, in the heavens above,
because I know that we've all been blessed to have shared her,
I know that we've all been blessed with her wondrous love.
I remember the time when Andrea got caught smoking,
I also remember the time when she changed her lock,
she got fed up with me always borrowing her shoes,
and yes, I'll admit to borrowing the odd party frock.
So (NAME) put herself through college,
and she was an elementary teacher for 34 years,
she loved her job and was proud of her achievement,
she seemed to thrive on the tantrums and the tears.
So Happy 75th Birthday,
That's really what these words are for,
here's to you, (NAME), you're truly wonderful,
and here's to our love, for evermore.
I also wanted to say "Happy Birthday",
but there's a few other words that need to be said,
because I know I'm a hot tempered guy,
and some times my tongue gets easily led.
She had a zest for life, she survived two husbands,
not that she needed them but she also had two face lifts,
she loved to dance, play cards and to travel,
and she shared with us all her many gifts.
And I also wanted to Happy 80th Birthday,
I guess that's really what these words are for,
here's to you, (NAME), grandmother, you're truly wonderful,
and here's to at least another eighty more!
Because (NAME) is so very special to me,
and she looks so beautiful with her married wings unfurled,
and I just wanted to say "thanks for always being there for me",
you're the best big sister in the whole wide world.
I also remember being chased down by a cow,
and thankfully, grandma came to my rescue,
and I also remember being allowed to be part of her class,
I think she liked to show me off (and you, you and you).
It was peaches and cream on many Labor Day's,
but my! Look at how her mighty tree has grown,
two daughters and six grandchildren, seven great grandchildren
we're all very grateful for the love that she's shown.
She loved music and dancing and she taught us the box step,
I'll never forget the summer fun and dancing at Torch Lake,
we also loved to listen to her play the piano,
nearly as much as the apple pies she used to bake.
Ah, Mignonne, in how few hours,
The petals of her purple flowers
All have faded, fallen, died;
Sad Nature, mother ruinous,
That seest thy fair child perish thus
'Twixt matin song and even tide.
94 wonderful years full of hard work, fun and excitement,
(NAME) was the last of her generation and truly loved by all,
she celebrated life and taught us all to do the same,
and to pick yourself up whenever you stumble or fall.
Because you have persistently and consistently loved us,
and it seems like 'you' is always the last thing on your mind,
you have this wonderful gift of being able to inspire,
and we know that's a treasure and so very hard to find.
She had a few falls but that didn't slow her down,
and today, she's put many a reason in our rhymes,
she raised two daughters whilst having a career,
and that was very inspirational for those times.
I'm like a teenager waiting for her boyfriend to call,
and although I laugh at myself, I run when the phone rings,
because I know you will be on the other end of the line,
and I know just what happiness your voice brings.
See, Mignonne, hath not the Rose,
That this morning did unclose
Her purple mantle to the light,
Lost, before the day be dead,
The glory of her raiment red,
Her colour, bright as yours is bright?
You are the greatest gift on earth,
in fact, a gift from God above,
and now I know the meaning of marriage,
and now I know the meaning of true love.
40th birthday gift her unique
Copyright Allen Jesson :o) 1995-2007
www.agiftofpoetry.com
