Twilight Thoughts

Sometimes I'm wakeful

at night upon my bed

thinking sober thoughts 

of what may lie ahead.

But when I think of you

the years that you’ve been thru

I look with hope renewed

and courage lit anew.

The thought of growing old

could easily foster fear.

What will the future hold

with every passing year?

But then I look at you.

the smile upon your face,

perhaps I’ll age like you

with dignity and grace.

The children you’ve mothered

still hold you very dear.

The way you loved and nurtured

to all is very clear.

Whether in sickness or distress

you eased their every pain,

so now they honour your name

with the proverb’s sweet refrain.

You had much grief and

deep sorrows to bear,

to be widowed so early

with no husband to care.

With patience and faith this

sad burden you bore

so your life’s work as a widow

has honoured him more.

With no one else to provide

to work you went back.

You put your heart in it

your hand was not slack.

Your work mates all cared for

the one they called ‘flower’.

You were friend to all

 and brightened each hour.

As our ‘Granny’ we knew that

you loved us all dearly.

You were proud of us too,

and that we saw clearly.

A day trip to Toronto

a movie and meals

to go out with Granny

was a very big deal.

You’ve overcome illness

 and carried your sorrows

with grace and good humour

and hope for tomorrow.

You’ve cared for the sick 

and comforted the sad

you’ve served selflessly

to make others glad.

The lines on your face

may say that you’re old

but your ‘young at heart’ way

is a joy to behold

Seeing my babies

perched on your knee

having fun with Granny

is a special delight to me.

So as I grow ever older

and my hair turns snowy white

I’ll hope to do so patiently

with a heart that is light

with a sparkle in my eyes

and that young-at-heart way

I’ll follow your footsteps

as I age day by day.

1998 Rebecca Stewart

I wrote this 'Mother's Day' message for my grandmother when she was about 90 years old. She was someone who often wrote poems for special family occasions and she encouraged me to write poetry too.