Family History
Cardboard covered the holes in his shoes
No money but he knew the rent was due
His wife had just given birth
She should be the happiest woman on earth
So he would do whatever he had to do.
To the pawnbroker he sold his fathers gold watch chain
He bought food for his family and left the little money that remained
He's heard of jobs being given but they are seventy miles away
He hopes to make it there inside two days .
Through driving snow and sleet
he arrives with No feeling in his feet
at the factory where new men are being hired .
He works two shifts each day back to back
Sleeping a couple of hours in an old deserted shack
He keeps that up all week
So tired he can barely speak
but at last he has some money to send home .
His beautiful wife feeds the baby in her arms
As the postman knocks she closes her dress to hide her charms
Tears stream down her cheeks as she reads the note
The first love letter my grandfather ever wrote.
She paid the rent and bills
The larder once more filled
Now instead of despair , She had hope.
Mountains can be moved by faith and hope
Now in the months to come somehow my grandparents cope
Though seventy miles apart
She feels the beat of my grandfathers heart
and her new daughter will bear the name of hope.
Hope was my mothers name
She told this story with no shame
Proud of everything her parents had done
Just as she told me
I share my families history
Telling you has just been so much fun.
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