Jeanne

From the cold flat ground

a warm heart would grow

a chin raised with faith

and the first car in Harlow.

First in her class,

the speech she gave

sent her picnic boys

off to war, faces brave.

One was John from the ranch

who followed his brother

and he would return

to give her a sweet mother.

And make her one, too

three girls, three boys

a week for a wedding

a lifetime of joy.

Not that it was easy

life hurts as it grows

but you can be sad or be happy

you know what she chose.

She chose sweets in her home

she chose kids in her lawn

and when John had to leave

she chose to carry on.

She chose laughter with family

She chose unbending views

She chose cribbage as the kitchen’s

Only real use.

She chose no one below her

always Christ up above

she chose grace and forgiveness

most of all, she chose love.

Then one quiet morning

she finally sighed

alone with her God

and nothing to hide.

Back to the cold ground

our warm heart has gone

a birthday gift

for her darling John.