Fond Memories

We weren't rich by any means
but our bellies were full and our clothes were clean

They didn't display those high priced names
but they wore fine just the same

We didn't ride around in fancy cars
Grandma saved pennies in a big glass jar

We learned early that money doesn't grow on trees
we also learned to say "thank you" and "please"

I mowed the grass in the summertime
My sister helped hang the clothes on the line

My cousin usually took out the trash
On Friday we'd each get seven dollars cash

At nigh we slept under a big window fan
It made the most comforting sound when it ran

We put a beaten on that old screen door
We must have popped it a million times or more

In the Fall we'd all gather up wood
and invite every kid in the neighborhood 

Grandaddy would build us a pretty good fire
We'd all roast hotdogs on coat hanger wires

Our first roller skates had metal wheels
with rubber stoppers on the backs of the heels

We had a paved alley alongside the house
You could see sparks when we skated around

Every couple of years we'd get a new bike
We'd attach playing cards to all of the spikes

We'd attach them with grandma's wooden clothespins
so it would sound like our bikes had motorcycle engines

As I look back on our childhood
I think we had it pretty good

We didn't need all the fancy stuff
We had each other and that was enough

Grandma's house was our favorite place
We'd never felt more loved and safe

That old house was home to us
It was the best even when we'd fight and fuss

Those memories to me are so crisp and clear
I will always hold them very dear

Copyright © | Year Posted 2016



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Date: 10/29/2016 10:44:00 AM
Really a heart warming write, Nikki. I share most of those memories except for the skates and my allowance was a buck fifty. Beautiful fun and just a little bit of sadness. Loved this one!!
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Turner Avatar
Daniel Turner
Date: 10/29/2016 11:21:00 AM
Sadly, yes things have changed. When we were young, we could not have imagined the world today in our wildest dreams.
Reynolds Avatar
Nikki Reynolds
Date: 10/29/2016 10:53:00 AM
Times sure have changed haven't they... We could play outside until dark and sometimes after with no worries.
Date: 10/29/2016 10:17:00 AM
I really enjoyed this poem! Very good! AND it reminded me of those cards on the bicycle spikes. lol. The home you describe as Grandma's sound so special, comforting .
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Reynolds Avatar
Nikki Reynolds
Date: 10/29/2016 10:51:00 AM
Thank you!! There was no other place like it. Now my grandma lives with me and my husband. She is eighty six years old. I'm very blessed.
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