By Velma M. Rose Smith

I wish I had the ability to say what I feel in poetry
I love poetry, a story in rhyme
I enjoyed our family get-to-gethers, I was so proud to look at our children,
Arnold’s and mine.

I looked at their children, my grandchildren, and their children.
They made me feel proud and good.
I listened as they reminisced, told family jokes,
as they consumed a table of food.

I felt we were a family, bound by family ties, as no other family seemed to be.
I thought they would always be around, for years on end,
but I guess no one thought of it that way, but me.

I know Wanda and her family and Bernadene and her family,
each lived a five hour drive away,
But if I needed them,
they would be home that day.

I admit I worried when Bernadene and Dianne
followed their service husbands overseas,
I know though, they would return,
as soon as could be.

But I felt when Ralph told me they were going West,
that family ties were breaking
I am sure no one knew
how much my heart was aching.

I had mixed emotions when Sandra came to tell me
she was making a big break,
But …. I knew it was
her own decision to make.

I felt really bad when Phyllis told me
she was going to California, so far
I said to her, “you can’t go alone and drive your car”.

I wasn’t so surprised that Mike and Denise
were next to break away from us
I told Denise, if you don’t like it in Omaha,
you can return to us by bus.

I am flabbergasted, that Gail and Denny would leave us, when Denny called
I couldn’t believe it, I sat down and bawled.

I wanted to much to keep us all together…

I was wistfully dreaming, to think it could last
I pray, as they go, and live far apart,
they keep family memories close to their heart.

I truly believe they will remember the big house on the farm,
and I am the Grandma that loved them,
And for years kept them from harm.