Grandma’s Birthday Poem
As I grew from a baby to a man
Long before I could even stand
Grandma always always lived right next door
When things went dark she was my light
I couldn’t understand she made things right
If I didn’t have enough she would give me more
Grew up poor, but she made the most of what she had
Never got past the fourth grade, helped her mom and dad
It’s how it was and she said she didn’t really know too many things
But let me tell you that woman knew more than any scholar
Never wasted words or time and she saved every dollar
Not to spend on her, but to share and enjoy the smile it brings
She taught me to show love and to hold your tongue
What I worried about she laughed and said boy you’re young
When you once get to be my age Timmy then you’ll know
I’m not even close yet, she had so many more years than I
But I’m starting to understand what she said and then I start to cry
She was more than just my grandma, she was a safe place to go
I was lost and needed hope she showed me how to love and care for plants
Given attention, water and sunlight they’ll flower if you give them a chance
The lesson wasn’t lost on pots of African violets, I could understand her care
Wasn’t just for the beauty that they displayed, there was something more
Every time we played cards, every dice game every meal after
The hollering about who won, from disappointment to laughter
All those moments I spent with my grandma taught me what life has in store
If I fell down she was there to wipe away my tears and set me on the mend
Taught me if she only had ten dollars, then she had ten that she could lend
It was never about her, it was about all of us cause that was what made her whole
Today she would be 125, I can hear her laughing at how old she was
Probably say she was 130, I’m crying but I’m smiling at the idea because
All she ever wanted was to teach me love, grandma you accomplished your goal
I learned well
I love you
Happy birthday!
Tim Windisch
11/1/2021
