She was nearly a child bride,
Married on her 17th birthday, he was not quite 18.
A city girl, raised in the heart of the depression years
Learning to “make do” in every area of her life.
Brave, feisty, stunningly beautiful – her daddy’s thorn.

Two feet of snow on a February day could not deter
That old car from delivering it’s precious cargo to her
Handsome lover waiting at the church,
Tall, lean and eager, a survivor in the truest sense.
This would be the start of a life filled with challenges and angst.

Home from the war, husband now must find work –
Parenthood lay at their doorstep.
With their firstborn struggling for life at three months,
Life in the city became too difficult and a return to
Farm life, much as he hated it, was a must to survive.

Loving the country life, this young bride thrived in the
Love of sisters she never had. Brothers – not so much.
A woman of courage, with a fire in her eyes when
The world around her put she and her child in danger.
She’d do what was necessary to feed and warm them.

That determination and fire became her hallmark
As she and her somewhat wild man went on to build
A legacy and a family of six offspring.
Marriage that lasts fifty-three years isn’t always golden,
Theirs was no exception.

There is so much more to tell, but there comes another day.
My purpose on this page is merely to humbly say
I’m proud to be her daughter, and gratitude seems too little
a word to honor this, my mother.
She’s 87 now and he’s gone on ahead, but missing dad seems lesser now,
She’s my hero yet.

I love you Mom, thank you for the sacrifices you made along the way.

Dedicated to Jeanette Ryan – a woman of true grit and substance.