The second poem I write is for my own dear grandmother, Mary Smith.
Both of these remarkable women have moved on to Heaven. But the memories they left behind will dwell in our hearts forever...
Or "Big Mom", as we lovingly called you.
To honor you and all your good deeds,
And all the wonderful, selfless things you would do.
I enjoyed our times together,
I was with you till the end.
The stories you would tell me about,
Would always make me grin.
The many times you spoke about God,
The unjustice of your children taken first,
You told me that this couldn't be fair,
To outlive your offsprings was the worst.
When the Lord took Almeda,
With whom you shared your home.
The daughter you adored so much,
Whose hair you would lovingly comb.
She also left behind Daneene,
The very light of your life.
That special little angel,
You tended to most of your life.
Then, the list goes on and on,
Of all the children left in your care.
The wondrous Christian beliefs you gave to them,
To carry on with them and share.
You were blessed with a God fearing man,
Pap Sharp was admired by all.
Your love and faith was unshakable,
Never threatening to fall.
Toward the end was the hardest for you,
Having to depend on the care from others,
The tables had turned, and you had become,
The patient and not the mother.
You knew that soon you'd reunite with your loved ones,
Which was your desire from the start,
That made your journey through the sickness into death,
Easier for you to depart.
We miss you more and more each day,
Especially that angelic smile.
But we realize that you're where you want to be,
And that makes our living worthwhile..
In memory of Nellie Sharp
January 29, 1907 - August 15, 1998
Debbie Dodson
February 24, 2000
The mother to my mother.
The one that holds a special place in my heart,
That cannot be replaced by any other.
How wonderful a woman you were,
You worked hard all of your life.
From the time you were a little girl,
Till long after Harry took you as his wife.
You bore five beautiful children,
And became a widow way too soon.
Papaw died and left you alone,
No money and nearly in ruin.
They wanted you to give up your kids,
That you've never raise them on your own.
But you told them you hadn't one to give up,
And for your family you were strong.
This was in the thirties,
When times were at there worst.
No jobs nor any hope for one,
But you knew your kids came first.
So, washings and ironings,
You repeatedly did with care.
To maintain a home for your family,
Knowing they would have food there.
They worked right along side with you,
Never quarreling or asking why.
With school and chores that had to get done,
There wasn't time to whimper or cry.
Well, Mamaw, you raised your children up just fine,
You gave up not one daughter, but two.
You suffered losses and set backs too many,
But you showed what just one woman could do.
Your gone from us now,
To never toll and work hard again.
God called you home to rest for good,
And rewarded you for the worker you'd been.
He gently touched your wrinkled brow,
And said," Mary, it's time to go".
And took you home to rest forever,
Never again to work,or worry or feel woe.
Mamaw, I miss you so much,
But I'm glad you're resting at last.
It shows me how little time we have,
Cause life goes by way too fast.
Written in memory of Mary "Mamaw" Smith
July 12,1907 - March 01,1989
Debbie Dodson
February 24, 2000
