Jeff Collins is shown sitting with his Gram after his poem was read by a family member - Gram asked him to come and give her a hug and Jeff did just that. He is shown with her in the photo below:
GramWhen Gram was born in 1909,
they knew they had a child
that would stand the test of time.
They all learned
and they learned very soon.
She would live her life
marching to a different tune.
One warm summer night
her mother gave her a special medicinal.
She liked it so well
she drank her sisters too.
Then sang at the top of her voice
while laying flat on her back in bed
as curious town folk
stared at the window overhead.
An embarrassed mother explained
of this we shall not boast.
She may have the lungs of a singer
but obviously can't carry a note.
Around the time Gram was married,
the country was facing no ordinary recession.
This is what was to be known
as the Great Depression.
Jobs were hard to come by
and money was always short.
But she never turned a stranger away
without serving them a meal on the back
porch.
Through all this, she raised a large family.
Nine of them in fact.
It was straight ahead every day
and never looking back.
Seven boys and two girls.
She made sure they all understood.
She was going to be the boss of this crew,
even though she barely reached five foot.
On and on they struggled
through endless perils and strife.
What most of us learned in history books,
was simply a part of her life.
From wood fire cook stove
to modern day microwave.
From horse and buggy
to four wheel Chevrolet.
Endless number of inventions
she saw develop from infancy.
When asked which one she liked the most,
she answered....I really enjoyed electricity.
Gram can still get a twinkle
in the corner of her eye.
When recalling a special memory
from an era that's passed by.
Like a private conversation
revealing secret wishes and wants,
while gathering with family and friends at a
neighborhood kitchen-tunk.
Then hitch up the horse and buggy
and head home in the dark of night.
Guided by the moon above
providing their only light.
She's a very special lady
who can touch your life in many ways.
And as she turns 100 years young,
she has proven that she's here to stay.
We could call her a family martyr,
but titles were never a part of her plan.
So if you want to get her attention,
we simply call her ......... Gram,
Jeff
