MY CHAIN OF THOUGHTS FOR YOU, MARDIE

When I phoned you on Sunday,
George answered the phone;
It sounded so quiet,
I thought he was alone.
"Where is your family?"
"Oh, I've got Marge in bed.
But I'll go get Beth-
She can talk to you instead."
By then I was wondering;
Oh golly, oh gee!
I hope nothing's wrong
With my sister, Mardie.
Then Beth started talking
And I heard every word.
But what she was saying
To me was absurd!
How could you think
You were going to the pot?
The basement is cool-
The bathroom is not.
But, nevertheless,
It scared me to death.
But I am so thankful
For Kaylynn and Beth.
I know they'll help you;
But please get well quick!
I don't like to think
Of you being so sick.
The weeds will keep growing
But so will the flowers.

CONNIE HAYES' SMILE

Oh, what the smile of a child can do

When so many things are troubling you.
While sitting in church the other night,
A little girl's face came into my sight.
I had things on my mind hard to forget;
Problems with people and money,
Yet when I suddenly saw that little girl's face.
It painted a picture hard to erase.
Her smile was so friendly, warm and sincere.
It made me feel better-my mind was made clear.
Today I am happy because I can see That little girl Connie who smiled at me.
 

Whenever I ride o'er the viaduct
and look down on the trains below,
I think of the days when my dad worked nearby
at the Union Pacific Depot.
We lived near Sixth South on Second West-- I was a girl about eight
The things I remember about my dad are grand, so I won't hesitate.
It seems that he always worked a late shift
And he slept alot during the day.
When friends came to see me,
We all understood that we would be quiet in our play.
I'd go to the corner to wait for him,
And on the corner I'd stand
Then I'd carry his lunch box the rest
Of the way and hold tightly onto his hand.
My mom always made him a wonderful lunch,
And I knew everyday, there would
Be his dessert still wrapped firmly
When he got home--he had saved it
Especially for me!
They say Fathers are busy, or tired,
Or cross; they have no time for their family.
But I can remember the many hours my dad spent with me.
So whenever I ride o'er the viaduct I always think of my dad.
I'm aware of his presence, although he is gone now.
He's the best there was to be had.
Aileen Reynolds Kvistberg

Oh, how I miss my dad so dear;
No one will ever know.
He used to do so much for me
And loved me so.
Each time when I would go out home;
The first thing he would do is get his dairy
And record the time and bus I'd taken, too!
With anything he ever did-- He always was so neat.
The things he made, the yard he kept
Never will be beat.
And when the little kiddies from the
Neighborhood would come
He would always give them
Some candy or some gum.
He was such an active man
As anyone would know
Who saw him cutting his big lawn
Or shoveling the snow.
And as I sit and reminisce about my dad so fine.
It's hard for me to realize that he was 79.
It was 1955-right early in the day on Sunday, March, the 20th, that my dad passed away.
My dad had lived along, good life and
I know that it was best for God to take him
Quietly for his last and final rest.
Aileen Reynolds Kvistberg
March 25, 1955