© 2019 Barbara Grace Lake
She was a lady, every inch
No, not the kind that puts on airs
A kind with gentle flowering
That only comes from deep inside
She cared for all, her family most
Twas almost physical that love
A caring felt, responded to
By every person touched by her.
Her early home rough pioneered
But as first trains were coming through
My Nana queried Harvey Girls
Her love innate, her taste self taught
They saw “a lady in the rough”
Then taught her how a table’s set
Included manners, courtesy
And very well she learned these skills
So all things lovely Harvey taught
Became ingrained into her being
Integral to this prairie girl
Who then morphed into womanhood
A woman all who met her said
“A lady truly raised refined
With beauty, rarity of grace “
A woman of the plains transformed
And rarer still, she’d not despise
Those rural farmholds whence she’d come
She loved her parents till the end
They taught her beauty’s found inside
A home kept well, if rich or poor,
Would never cause its owner shame
Life lessons that her daughters gained
And passed along to children theirs
Where seeds she planted gardens bloomed
For all she loved, loved in return
When Delbert died, My Uncle Ted,
A seaman rough, observed her heart
He chastely loved, oft visited
Milkshake in hand along with flowers
When talking later, Ted observed
Your Nana’s real, a lady real
So was she human, I’d say yes
For several years I lived with her
Her perfect world was never quite
Still woman spirited, for proof:
When spouse demanded meals be hot
My Nana served him from the pot
I never saw her laugh out loud
Sly smirk was all from his burnt tongue
Since women drivers then were rare
Males of the species felt the need
To put such women in their place
Along came one on our main drag
Who cut in front of Nana’s car
She waited for the signal’s turn
To cut in front and get the green
And thumbed her nose as he sat there.
February 24, 2019 at 12:32 am
I loved this. I remember ladies like that. You captured not only her so beautifully, but a time in the past where women lived quite differently. They were shaped by the world inwhich they lived. In some ways life was sweet and simple. In other ways, quite unfair. Thanks for posting.
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February 24, 2019 at 1:12 am
Thank you so much for reading and understanding my Nana. Yes, hers was a different world. I think I’d have hit my Grandfather Delbert (Nana’s second husband) with the frying pan instead of serving him his supper out of it. But she got back at him in the only way she could. As for the rest, she was a loving and well loved woman, especially by me and her other grandchildren.
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February 24, 2019 at 1:14 am
Yes, things were different back then. But I can tell she was well loved and admired by you. ❤️
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February 24, 2019 at 2:03 am
What a great way to honor your Nana. She sounds like a wonderful woman.
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February 24, 2019 at 4:46 am
This is lovely, Barbara. It brought back so many memories of my own Nana. ❤️
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February 24, 2019 at 7:37 am
She was that, Mary. She was that.
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February 24, 2019 at 7:49 am
Thank you, Dorinda. It means much when other poets appreciate my work. I appreciate you.
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February 24, 2019 at 8:33 am
I appreciate your poetry and its beauty. She also teaches and gives a lot of thought. The beauty of a man is always inside.
greetings
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February 24, 2019 at 7:09 pm
Thank you so much for your comments. It means a lot to me.
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February 24, 2019 at 6:27 pm
Oh, I love this! Your words bring your Nana to life for us and she sounds marvelous!
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February 24, 2019 at 7:14 pm
She was indeed that.
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February 27, 2019 at 6:17 pm
Barbara, a beautifully composed story reminiscent of a bygone era. Quilled to perfection with a gentle, heartwarming touch.
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February 27, 2019 at 6:55 pm
High praise indeed, coming from you, Lance. I value and appreciate your opinion over all others. Thank you, my friend.
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April 6, 2019 at 10:08 pm
Love it.
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