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A speck of sand, a bit of grain
A drop of water on the plain
So minute am I this year
My fifty mark looms up as near
The years have much too quickly passed
And I am here much too darn fast
Accomplishements that once had time
To be unfolded rest sublime
So much to do and see and feel
This whole darn world seems quite unreal
Why is it that the childhood days
So fondly recalled slipped away?
If fighting men would only drape
Their sorry forms in mindful shape
And know what I know that years hence
War's forgotten at expense
They'd look at centuries past and see
What fools men were, and are, and be
I have loved and hated and borne
Through nights and suns of rain and storm
Seen frustrations, fears and pain
Reveled in wit and foolery insane
Joined in causes, resigned from more
Acted, wrote and kept loves score
Had my men and childhood pleasures
Flesh and sin and devils treasure
Am I wiser? I fear not
For errors pop up cold and hot
Still I have things many lack
And water beads right off my back
I can't change much, some days are so blue
And seemingly sad dreams come true
A sickly mother now to see
To recall my look-back memory
The vividness of what she had
And how the good things turned to bad
Is this not how we all must end?
What "Golden Years"?
They're an abnormal blend
The mind so weakened from too much
Of pain that came along as such
Sure, my children are my life
and mean more than a constant wife
I'm not that, I guess I know
That marriage wanes as children grow
When I look back, count the mistakes
Recall all the pains and aches
It's then I vow that before it ends
I'll try my best to make amends
I hope I face up to my task
And toss away lifes crazy mask,
Revealing strength I always had
And should have used to push the bad
Emptiness is my greatest fear
Loneliness of a coming year
I hope, I pray, that I can face
That time when I'll have run the race
So here's to you, fifty!
May you be the start
Of kind and loving years
That God will give my heart.

I hope this ten year plan of mine
Does not seem hard and weighty;
I'll thank you, God, each and every day,
If I make it all the way to eighty!
Anne

My 73rd Birthday
July 2002

Time goes by too quickly and special occasions get lumped together and
and we forget what year or time they were. So before I forget, I'd like
to put it in writing. Today was one of the happiest days of my life.
The occasion was my 73rd birthday and most everyone in my family was there.
Imagine; I was surrounded by my 4 children, their spouses, 3 of my
granchildren with spouses and 3 great-grandchildren! Then there was my
sister & brother-in-law, and part of their family. The place was
beautiful at my daughter's clubhouse. We had great food, snacks, jokes,
stories and good conversations. We also celebrated 3 other family birthdays
since we're all within one week of each other. We all received wonderful
gifts. It was a 4 hour day filled with love and happiness.
Thank you all for the memorable birthday.
Love,
Mom, Grandma & Great-Grandma Anne