Favorites - Family

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Thanksgiving brings to mind a favorite scene

Daughters, with a row of wine-filled bottles in between

Another daughter, with a glass of wine aglow

Her tiny, lovely daughter just below

Is it wine, or happiness, I love?

Little one below, or mom above?

Eyes of caring love, or eyes of mirth?

Gift of sisterhood, or gift of birth?

I love it all, a warm November day

Inside, keeping autumn chill at bay

What a lovely place to raise a child

Safe, but with the slightest trace of wild

That's the way that life has seemed to me

Best served - a feast of pleasures all can see

And share, a give-and-take this time of year

Conversation, laughing, making cheer

Little darling nestled on her Grammie's soft shoulder 

One, a bit younger, and one, a bit older

Thumb in little mouth; little eyes are closed up tight

And Grammie's sweet smile says that everything's all right

Darling shades of pink, and wavy tresses, soft and red

And leaned on Grammie's warm grey colors, darling's little head

Young and small, older, tall, two girls snuggling there

A picture filled with happiness, and Grammie's loving care

A hand upon her bigger sister's knee

Watching yet an older girl at barre

Both imagining that they could see 

Themselves, instead of others from afar!

Innocence, looking over

Wild places, full of clover

Gentle summer breezes blow,

And warm imaginations grow

This, where children's dreams find birth,

Near fragrant smell of sun-warmed earth

Colors leaping from the ground

Wild flowers, all around

Even older folk like me

See a child's bended knee,

Exploring fields where treasures hide

And feel a flash of hope inside

Just a bit ago, today

The boys all went outside to play

They climbed up on the trampoline

Which soon became a laugh machine

Two jumped as high as they could dare

To launch the third one in the air

The favor was returned until

Each of them had had their fill

The part they loved the most of all?

Wrestle, shout, push, fall

Until they all lay down to rest

Energy spent on a jumping fest

Two slices of bread, a slab of laughter,

And what evolved soon thereafter?

A final serving of boisterous noise

A nice thick sandwich made of boys!