Great Grandmother Smith

Sylvia, my mother-in-law, is a widow, having lost her husband of almost sixty-three years just two years ago. The Smiths lived in Corner Brook, Newfoundland but after Melvin died, Sylvia moved to Summerside, Prince Edward Island. Tomorrow, she is returning to her original island home, having spent the last two years on Prince Edward Island, living near family. Though we will miss her, Sylvia takes with her our love and best wishes for a happy return to Corner Brook.

This poem is for Sylvia's great granddaughters, Sylvie and Caitlin.

Great Grandmother Smith

Part 1

 

My great gran is Sylvia

And she loved to garden.

She set the seeds,

Then she let the plants harden.

        Sylvia's tomato plants grown from seed

 

Port aux Basques was her home

When she was small

Where she lived with her brothers

Carl and Dick-oh so tall.

 

Classie was her mother

And she did a lot,

Like sew, knit and crochet

And cook in a pot.

 

Richard her father

Was good with amounts.

Like our father Ben

He could keep the accounts.

   Front: Sylvia, Classie, Richard Sr. and Jr., Carl

Part 2

 

Sylvia met Melvin who worked on a boat.

When they got married he gave up the float

          Melvin Smith

To work at the mill where he worked night and day 

Carrying baskets of leftovers away.

                           Melvin and Sylvia

They had lots of friends and often played cards,

The children were happy and played in the yards.

For sixty years they both enjoyed life,

Stories and jokes, they all kept away strife.

Then Melvin was gone and life it was tough.

Sylvia decided that she'd had enough.

Another isle called her away from the bay,

With family and new friends for two years did stay.

              Eleanor, Sylvia and Angéle

Now as she moves back to her true home

Sylvia's happy n'er more to roam.

Her family wishes her all the best 

As she settles back into her Corner Brook nest.

                                  Marie Pretty Smith

 Will they grow tomatoes too?