(
(Hal Melanson, Anne Grant, Harold "Mickey" and Eleanor "Dusty" Melanson)
If I had no problem with time, talent or money...
I would gather all the children
the world cast aside
And shower them with Love
and help build up their pride.
I would buy a big farm
With animals, gardens, trees &
A stream or two
become a dream maker
and make their dreams
Come true--
I would hire the best
Teachers, their knowledge
To impart, to expose
These dear children to
basics, Music and Art
Responsibilities & chores
They would have each day
Practice the Golden Rule
To Guide them on their way.
I would like them to know
How special they are,
Like unto the heavens
is the Northern Star
The bunk houses would
ring with their laughter
And Song
They would learn to share
And help each other along.
I would like this Haven
For Children to be one
As much like heaven
As Earthly things can become
A place to recycle
the Lonely, the sad,
those who are down trod
And turn out happy
Healthy Children of God
A Garden of Eden
Free from despair
Where the young & the old
would all do their share
A place to prove
the worth of a soul,
yes, this is what
would be my Goal
if I had the talent
the money & the time
I could fulfill
this dream of mine.
Anne Connolly Grant November 1984
Stop To Smell the Flowers
Stop to smell the flowers
As you go along your way
“My Life is dull, there are no flowers.”
is what I hear you say.
A kitten soft, a new born calf,
The freshly fallen snow
These are the “flowers”
that brighten our way
as on with life we go.
What flower can surpass
the delightful grin
of a happy child at play
or the sunsets glow at the end
of a busy, perfect day?
The flowers that grow
as daisies do,
in the pastures green and wide
are no more delightful than
the loved ones by your side.
So seek the “flowers’
that fill your life
And will not wilt with time,
They are our dreams
the things we seek
Thru His Love divine.
His world is full of many flowers
that make our life worthwhile
A gentle word, a loving heart
and the message in a happy tender smile.
To MIckey & Dusty
30th Anniversary 11-12-1985
30 years! Can it really be
since Don & I accompanied thee
to the Parish House to become
Mr & Mrs. and share a life together
of joy & tears & hugs & kisses?
A rented house out in the country
where 2 happy people
soon became three....
Tammy so lovely, a golden delight
a perfect little girl
from the tip of her toes
to each shiny blond curl
she was so special...
so you tried for a boy.
Along came Hal
To complete your joy
But after a girl so petite & charming--
How to cope with this boy
So alarming!
Climbing on stoves
among bubbling pots,
out through the windows
to the very rooftops!
How could we cope with this little guy
With golden curls & a grin in his eye?
Little Mother Tammy
kept him in tow
They grew up together
and you loved them so.
In sickness & in health
In good times & bad
You did your best
with what you had
The children matured and
went out of the nest--
your finances went from bad
to better to best.
And now 30 years are over and done
Just look at the milestones
you two have begun
Your own home--
you built it so true & solid and strong
Two successful children
who never went wrong.
30 more years is our wish for you--
of love & success in all that you do.
All the world should have
Friends like Mickey & Dusty
Then smiles would abound
And tears would grow rusty.
Happy Anniversary from all of us here
With blessings & love in your 31st year.
Thank you to Addie & Dusty
June 7, 1985
People come, people go
and life goes on each day
But friends like you add sunshine &
flowers along the way
Always kind, always thoughtful
always there if one is “lost”
Dear, gentle friends I’m glad
our paths have crossed.
You make my birthdays special &
growing old more pleasant
Because of all the joy you bring
with each birthday present.
With friends like you
so kind & dear
with blessing I’m over run
I’m thankful to the both of you
for all my birthday fun.
My Mother’s Hands (1985)
Now that she’s gone
I often recall
My mother’s hands,
so careworn and small
Hands that cut logs
to build her own home
Hands that laid the foundation
stone upon stone.
Six little babies
to nurture and feed
Farm animals to tend
and Gardens to weed
Hands that ran looms
in the local yarn mill,
even at rest
They never were still.
Cooking, cleaning, knitting & sewing
I still see her there
Tired hands calm and
folded in prayer.
My mother’s hands---
they always will be
A gentle memory
of her love for me.
Braiding my hair
or dressing my doll
My mother was special
She did it all.
For Barbara Plocha’s Mom, Myrtle Buda, March 17, 1990
She laid her mortal body by--
freed her spirit with a joyful cry.
She’s free from tears & strife & pain
as she journeys homeward once again.
through clouds of glory she doth trod
to look upon the face of GOD.
As Joyful strains ring through eternity
A gentle Voice whispers:
“Well done, come, and dwell with me.”
Euology for Cyndee Perkins (died of cancer age 16, September 4, 1987)
Each time I see a rainbow
Arched across the sky
I’ll know it’s Cyndee’s way
of saying “Hi.”
She added joy and color
no matter what she did.
deep within her heart
She always was a kid.
She trails her clouds of glory
around her Celestial throne
waiting for the rest of us
to reach our Heavenly home.
Her dancing feet & cheerful smile
are taken from us
for awhile
there will be many times
We’ll fee the pain
of no mortal contact
with her again
but at those times
we must rejoice
That Celestial glory is now her choice
Her spirit soars,
freed from pain
Our hearts tell us
We’ll meet again.
Until that time
We must embrace
the memory of her smiling face
We must accept the lonely days
we know now follow
Knowing most of them
will be filled with sorrow.
Sorrow because we no longer share
the Joys of having Cyndee there.
She touched my life
And I am glad--
She left this life
and I am sad
But gently rain, the warmth of the sun
will remind me of that special one
who graced our lives and spread her charms
but now is safe within His loving arms.
Retirement Poem (June 1, 1960)
Senior citizen is within my grasp--
I can’t believe I reached the big “6-0”
And now “Older” is the only way to grow!
It has some rewards
such as long friendships, retirement, grandchildren and leisure time
But on the downside is gray hair, sags & bags & ines so tiny & fine.
Memory fails, hills get steeper
Sizes become a “bit” more big
And the waltz replaces the Irish Jig.
But memories are golden
And friends are too
And I have the best in all of you.
And if in eternity our wishes come true
I’ll wish to be friends forever
with all of you.
Thanks for a lovely evening.
Joseph Smith’s Gift (March 4, 1994)
A young man looked in awe
upon that book with Leaves of Gold
And read the wondrous tales
of prophets, warriors & Kings of old
He knew the legends told within
were inspired by men of God
He did not know that where they’d been
he, too was bound to trod.
He did not know the trials he’d have
the ridicule, the pain
As he & those whom he inspired
took up the fight again.
From boy to man, he strove to do
the things he knew were right.
Through earthly trials & tribulations
He kept eternity in sight.
In sickness & in health,
In glory and despair
If ever the Saints needed him
He was always there.
Until he gave his life
As Jesus did,
he died a martyr’s death
That we might have the word of God
once buried deep within the earth.
We must take up the banner
both at home & lands abroad
to help those on earth find their way
back home to God
We are not asked to shed our blood,
or know a martyr’s grave
just share the gospel
truths that Joseph to us gave.
Is that too much to ask?
Is that too much to give?
To share this gift he gave to us
and live as he did live?
Or do we keep it to ourselves
and never know the pleasure
of seeing lives change
As they too embrace this treasure.