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Grandma's Gifts

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When Grandma died, I found some things Gifts midst tears that sorrow brings Old doll babies with twinkling eyes A storybook of lullabies I found boxes filled with paint Containers with perfume scents faint I found within her crafting box, trinkets, beads and doll hair locks The cabinet of her sewing machine Held treasures that I'd never seen Of snaps and buttons from '59 Obvious workings toward layette mine Some bags of yarn and fabrics too Yellow, orange, pink, baby blue A wide array of colors green Among her tools and sewing machine And then as Christmas rolled around Those silver bells? A sadder sound.... Was ringing through my heart and mind Christmas joy, I could not find I knew my mom in heaven's light Would surely smile in pure delight As I crafted grandchild gifts In memory, her, gazes uplift Grandma's love from in the sky A gift of love from her and I Again, as Christmas rolls around Sweet memories of past abound I pull near empty sewing drawers Out from her cabinet, which now is ours Nearing Christmas in the air Again, for treasures, I'll prepare I love my kids with all my might And oh, those grandkids, such delight!! I ponder to the years ahead when all is Done, and all is said And I lay down my weary head Upon my own departure's bed... What gift from heaven would I leave? Some beads, and yarn, a loom to weave.... Cute buttons, fabrics, dolls and toys From my own treasures and childhood joys? But surely most importantly, for each of them. Of course, for me; Is when I've flown this earthenware That they not mourn in deep despair A gift of hope, of love of faith That Grams no Zombie...nor a wraith! A glance to heaven's mighty Light With God's own Son where all is right! And that each one knows well their worth Long before I leave this earth So when they go through my old things Scrapbooks, letters, notes; Love Rings! Silver and gold are rare to me But loves shines brighter, brilliantly! I hope the gifts that I'll bequeath Are swords of light and love unsheathed Hoping not to feed landfills Of stuff that breaks, long lost of thrills... But with each gift a love sublime That grows in worth of joy through time. Well, finally, I will end this poem And to my crafting room I'll roam To create gifts for them from me To share beneath the Family tree

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Sara Kendrick

Date: 12/3/2022 12:56:00 PM

I still have things that was left in my mother's sewing machine. She never was much for sewing or crafts, but she had a few things left for me to cherish. Thanks for sharing this one and for dropping by my pages. Sara

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 12/27/2022 3:46:00 AM

Thank you for your visit Sara, I'm sorry I didn't respond back in a timely fashion. My husband and I have a large family and many grandkids, so the holidays keep us busy in normal years, and this year was over the top with the sudden and unexpected death of my sister. This poem written about my mom now reminds me of my beautiful sister that I believed would have many years ahead of her to celebrate. I feel sad that I am replying late, but I so appreciate you. I hope your holiday season has been a blessed one for you and your family.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 11/30/2022 11:46:00 AM

This has the feeling of beautiful nostalgia and emotions of love for family. My kids hate my "junk" so I fear all those things I treasure will be thrown to the trash. I hope that at least my poetry might be saved by them as well as the beautiful ring collection I have amassed. All the photos. I wonder if they will even care to keep them!!

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 12/27/2022 3:41:00 AM

Isn't it funny Andrea> When did the old saying "The one who dies with the most toys wins?" went by the wayside, and now its just junk,,,,but we consider it treasure anyway :) I don't throw anything away, but I do give it to charity or friends, family who need it when I don't anymore. I think those photos will be treasures for sure. I'm sorry I didn't respond back to you in a timely fashion, but you are updated on our tragedy with the loss of my sister, and that was part of not getting back to my comments on this poem. You helped me this Christmas though, believe it or not. I didn't create the items I wanted to, but your giftcard ideas were still in my mind. I made my grandkids money pizzas :) I only had a little dough, so they were small. They loved them, and they were green :)

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 11/21/2022 12:00:00 AM

I'm sure this happened in real-time. So cute and memorable.

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 12/27/2022 3:35:00 AM

Yes Victor :) I didn't get very many gifts finished though, things spun out of control with my sister's illness, and then her passing. I did manage to create gifts, but not the ones I'd planned. Thank you for stopping by, I'm so sorry I didn't comment earlier, but I do so appreciate your visit :)

Deb M

Date: 11/17/2022 10:59:00 PM

BJ what a truly incredible beautiful relatable heartfelt poem/story. It was straight from your heart and so touching…..Loved!! …Debx

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 12/27/2022 3:33:00 AM

Thank you Deb, I'm so sorry to be so late in replying, somehow things really spun out of control not long after this poem was written. My sister was a grandma, and her eldest grandson made her a great grandma. This poem will be so relatable to them :'( She actually had all her gifts ready on Thanksgiving, wrapped and given to the,. They all unwrapped her precious gifts for the last time on Christmas day. I didn't even dream of her death when I wrote this poem about our mom.

Valsa George

Date: 11/14/2022 9:21:00 PM

What a fruitful journey through times past, to the memories of our grand parents, the things they loved, the trivial keepsakes they left behind. Time rolls on and the cycle waits to repeat its round. Christmas is once more near and it calls the mother in you to arrange gifts below the Christmas tree for your children and grandchildren. A beautiful poem covering the entire gamut of life. Stay blessed dear BJ

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 12/27/2022 3:28:00 AM

Thank you Valsa, I'm sorry it took me so long to reply to your comment. My big family does keep me on my toes but the Holiday season I am really head over heals busy, and I'm so sorry to reply so late. You know, I wrote this and then my sister passed so unexpectedly on week after Thanksgiving. She left presents, beautifully wrapped for each and every one of her kids and grandkids. She was such a loving, conscientious grandma. I can't believe that on the heels of this poem about my mom, my sister passed in this season, her favorite time of the year :'(

Line Gauthier

Date: 11/14/2022 7:12:00 PM

I could so relate. What a beautiful tribute. "That Grams no Zombie...nor a wraith!" was quite a surprise! lol Nonetheless, a FAVE.

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 12/27/2022 3:23:00 AM

Oh my goodness, how did I miss your comment, and others on here? Well, I see it now, and thank you :) I'm so honored with your fave! Since I wrote this there were many big family celebrations ahead, I must have gotten busy for Thanksgiving, and then my sister's unexpected passing has left me reeling. But, this poem reminds me now of her, She's in the Light of heaven and would tell me to look up, even as I would want others to at my passing as I wrote here! Thank you for your comment, it is so encouraging to me. <3

Anisha Dutta

Date: 11/10/2022 5:42:00 AM

Grandma is the great blessing to one’s life. I was deeply attached to my Grandma. I am deeply attached with my Granddaughter. I am engrossed in your feelings. Blessings.

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 11/14/2022 12:54:00 PM

So true Anisha. I have a picture of my beautiful little grandma in my china cabinet that I love to see and imagine her still very much watching from heaven, hoping we are all well. She once told me when I was a young mom, fretting because I felt overwhelmed with concern for my little ones sometimes hair-raising antics and looking forward to them being safely grown up, that I would only have more concern, love, and people to worry about. She cared so much for each of us. As a grandmother myself now, I understand. Her love was so encompassing and dear. I love my grandkids so very much. I pray for them and think of them all daily. What a precious title we've inherited Anisha, that of 'Grandma' <3 Much love to you my friend :)

Arastu Goyal
Date: 11/10/2022 11:08:00 PM

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 11/10/2022 1:29:00 AM

Grandma's gifts of the old days are much better than the modern ones. Children tend to get rid of new toys but would never dispose of Grandma's gift. Lovely poem.

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 11/14/2022 12:46:00 PM

I agree, I still have every gift I inherited from my grandma, and those my mom and dad made for me, they are treasures to keep.