“Be kind to me when I am old.
Be patient with my ways,
And if I irritate you, dear,
Be mindful of the days
When I shared all your little woes
And heard your slightest cry.
I kissed each bump to make it well
And wiped your teardrops dry.”
And, so dear child of mine,
Be kind when I grow old
Until the Shepherd calls me back
To His eternal fold.”

This lovely poem was written by Josephine Wayland, who lived on Neponset Avenue for quite a few years. Her daughter Anne has sent me other poems that I have used over the years. If I remember correctly, her Mom even hosted a Reading Club in her home. (By the way, Anne’s brother, Greg Wayland, is on the NECN Channel.) My mother wrote poetry when she was in high school. My maternal grandfather was also a poet. Many of his poems were about current events and were published in the local Jamaica Plain weekly newspaper.

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As I have mentioned before, my brother Jackie and I lost our mother in 1945. I was 10; my brother was 6. (As a matter of fact, it was May 7.) We did, however, have a wonderful grandmother who came to live with us and who took care of our father and the two of us. When I was in high school, I was not a big fan of Shakespeare. Grandma used to read the words to me, with expression, so that I understood them. Jackie and I were also fortunate to have two caring aunts, Getta (named for her aunt, who was named for the Battle of Gettysburg) and Ethel, both of whom lived close and watched over us. As a kid, I would love to comb my grandmother’s long white hair with her bone comb. I would then make one big braid for her. She would make a bun with the braid at the nape of her neck and put in big white hairpins to hold it securely. The best thing that I remember about my mother was watching her put on face powder just before she went in town to shop. She probably didn’t bring home much because we had very little money during World War II. (By the way, Hubby’s father died the next day, May 8, but in 1963, 18 years later than my mother, and 50 years ago last week.) I heard, on Ch. 7, the list of the top three gifts that most mothers would want for Mother’s Day. First was a handmade gift from a child. The second was a complete day off. The third was a day at a spa. I disagree. I heard, on WBZ, that most Moms would like a gift card. I think that would be more like it. I myself love receiving flowers.

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When my brother died, my sister-in-law Peg and niece Terri gave us two azaleas, which Hubby planted against the back fence. They are still small but are covered with flower buds. The big hot pink azalea, planted at the edge of the back yard, is magnificent. It is such a vibrant color that I thought it was in full bloom. We checked it out on Mother’s Day and discovered that about one-third of the flower buds have not opened as yet. Hubby has already taken photos of it.

***
I am far from computer savvy so I was delighted to find the address for One Fund Boston, Inc., which is collecting funds, by mail, for the victims of the Marathon bombings. The address is: One Fund Boston, Inc., 800 Boylston St. P.O. Box 990009, Boston MA, 02199. The phone is 1-855-617-FUND (3863). We have already put a check in the mail.

***
Hubby and I have always appreciated the film work of Ray Harryhausen. We just loved the movie “Jason and the Argonauts,” where Jason did battle with the skeletons. Ray even helped to create the ape in “Mighty Joe Young.” His animation work was amazing, especially in those years, when there were no computers to help him achieve the effects he wanted.

***
A bit of information: If you have always wanted to go to the Museum of Fine Arts, or would like to see that beautiful museum once again, why not take yourself there on Memorial Day weekend, either on Sat., Sun., or Mon., May 25 to 27. The museum, located at 100 Huntington Ave., will waive its usual $25 entrance fee all three days. Because of all the sadness that Boston has endured with the Marathon bombings, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art has loaned the Boston museum three of its paintings. The first is “Northeaster” by Winslow Homer, the second, “Lachrymae” by Frederic, Lord Leighton, and the third, “The Monet Family in Their Garden at Argenteuil” by Edouard Manet. I would go just to see the Egyptian sarcophagi once again.

***
I was watching TV last Thursday as Romeo and Juliet, the swans that spend the warm weather in the lagoon in the Boston Public Garden, were released from their winter home into the lagoon. I began to read about the swans because I think they are so beautiful. I discovered that both of these mute swans are female. They are devoted to each other and get along very well. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the return of the swans and so there was even a little parade to the lagoon. From the photo in the May 8 Boston Globe, there were many little children watching the entire ceremony.
***
I very seldom get a chance to watch “Ellen” in the afternoon although I enjoy her show very much. I did, however, happen to see the show where Cher appeared with her Mom, Georgia Holt. I learned that, years ago, Georgia had made musical tapes. Georgia found these tapes in her garage and showed them to her daughter. Cher then had a professional take the music off the tapes. Her mother has a wonderful voice, even at age 86. Ellen had both Cher and Georgia sing a song together. I was astounded at her mother’s terrific voice. I understand that there is a documentary on the Lifetime Channel about Georgia. She is the prettiest 86-year-old I have ever seen. (She has amazing cheekbones.) She has appeared on TV on the “I Love Lucy” show. If you come across the documentary about Georgia, please watch it. You will be amazed.

***
Thanks to a “heads-up” from a friend, I learned that our mutual friend Judy (Minehan) Jones, who is retired from Carney Hospital, had lost her husband Francis, on May 7, at age 78. Many know Judy because she worked in the Ambulatory Care Unit of Carney, with such great doctors as Dr. Deborah O’Keefe and Dr. Mark Ostrem. Judy was the gal behind the inside desk, who would make out the paperwork for various tests. I knew that Francis was not well but Judy, at the wake, told me that he passed away peacefully but unexpectedly. I send my sympathy to Judy, and to their children: Michael, Mary Rattigan, Stephen, John, and Kevin.

***
Last Wednesday, Hubby, daughter Sue, and I went to St. Gregory’s for the 4 p.m. Mass for the Feast of the Ascension holy day. In our pew there was a prayer card, which said,” Pray for Peace and Justice.” On the reverse side, there was a prayer, asking God to heal the victims of the Marathon bombings and asking that peace may reign in America and throughout the world. We took one prayer card home.
At the end of Mass on Sat. afternoon, Father George stood at the back of the church and gave a beautiful pink carnation to each of the women attending the Mass. We all loved receiving the beautiful flower. I told Father George that the flower usually lasts at least a week. We thank Father for the pretty Mother’s Day remembrance.

***
Although the morning weather on Mother’s Day was not the best, Hubby and I had a great time. We had already bought pansies and a few geraniums earlier in the week. On Sunday, very early, we bought more geraniums and quite a few impatiens. We must find the time, in the next few weeks, to plant them in our two whiskey barrels and in our big flower pots. When we arrived home, I spoke for a while with my sister-in-law Peg and wished her a “Happy Mother’s Day.”

Just after lunch, our daughter Jeanne and granddaughter Erin came in from Rockport. Erin had a big exam on Monday so they only stayed about an hour and a half. (Son-in-law David was going to do the cooking because of Mother’s Day.) Erin had brought her iPhone with her so Grandpa, Auntie Sue, and I (Grandma) were able to see her as she tried on her (senior) prom gown. It was red, which looked beautiful with her coloring. I asked what she was going to wear for jewelry but she said that she didn’t need any. “My gown is beaded on top so I don’t need anything more. I will have a corsage on my wrist.” She even showed us the way she is going to have her long “dirty blonde” hair styled for the prom. (Her hair becomes even more blonde as the summer goes on.) Her prom is this Friday evening so we pray she, her date, and the rest of her classmates have wonderful weather.

We had asked Jeanne and Erin to stay until son Paul came by about four p.m. so we could all go to dinner. They weren’t able to stay that late with David cooking. About 4 p.m., we left for Gerard’s. We all got our favorite meals. (My meatloaf dinner was wonderful.) We didn’t have dessert at Gerard’s because Sue said she had purchased dessert at Stop & Shop on Sat. evening. About 8 p.m., that evening, Sue brought out vanilla ice cream with hot fudge sauce. I only had a little and it was wonderful!
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Here is a great thought “He who is thankful for little enjoys much.” (anon)