From Uncle Paul: A reminiscence in verse

Memories of Home

(Written for sister Doris’s 80^th birthday in 2001)

Sometimes it’s nice to reminisce

About what used to be

And think of all the things we shared

As one great family

So Doris, on this special day

I’d like to share with you

Some things I think of from our home

A memory or two

Our home was filled with lots of love

And though life at times was hard

Much of the food that sustained us then

Was grown in our back yard

The special goodies that came from our kitchen

Were always a special treat

Though times were hard and money was scarce

We always had plenty to eat

Sticky buns, doughnuts and shoofly pie

Were some of the treats we would share

And don’t forget Dad’s homemade bread

Our cupboards were never bare

Our house was such a busy place

There were always people everywhere

With seven siblings running around

We soon learned how to share

So we shared our toys and we shared our space

Our bedroom held four boys

And it wasn’t unusual for someone to holler

“Boys, you’re making too much noise!”

I will always remember those cold winter nights

When the wind was howling away

Mother would finish the dishes and turn down the lamp

Then go to the piano and play

She would play Hearts and Flowers, then some peppy tune

And before the night was through

With a little prodding, Dad would respond

By reciting a poem or two

I remember the Wreck of the Hesperus

And The Touch of the Master’s Hand

That Old Sweetheart of Mine was next

Told in Dad’s fashion, so grand

Then we would coax, “Dad, don’t stop now

Oh please, won’t you do just one more”

Then of course he’d oblige with our favorite poem

The Face on the Bar Room Floor

Then Dad would say, “Let’s all gather round

And do a little singing”

And before you know it the old Boyer house

With harmony was ringing

And remember the swing on the old back porch

Where Mother loved to go

The family would gather to share the day

As the sun was sinking low

And as twilight fell you could hear the call

Of the bobwhites and whippoorwills

And the old freight train as it chugged and chugged

Trying to make the hill

Then over the top and on its way

The chugging would slowly fade

But we knew tomorrow the train would be back

Once again to challenge the grade

Now I think of Dad’s life and the old freight train

How each day they both tackled the grade

They both chugged along til they conquered the hill

Knowing full well the progress they made

Was only accomplished one day at a time

Each day was a challenge anew

So with ne’er a complaint and with little restraint

He would do what he had to do

I stand in awe of the things Dad accomplished

No mountain was too high to climb

Dad always told me, when you come to a mountain

You climb it one step at a time

And I think of Mother who rarely complained

And the talents that she possessed

She gave us her love, her hugs healed our hearts

As a family we were truly blessed

Now the years have flown by and the old home’s long gone

But the memories forever endure

And the bond that we feel as we walk through this life

Shall forever remain secure

To a very special sister on her birthday

With lots of love, Paul