Saying good bye

This morning at 11, Mother and I will be at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Parchment, Mich., for her sister June's funeral.

My sister Laurie suggested that Mother read a poem written by their mother in 1924, not long before she died. At the time, Mother (Ginny) was three and June (Sissy) was just a baby.

They had moved to North Idaho, near Wallace, from Chicago with their dad who was a gold prospector. Life was hard, but Lillie Short Halter rejoiced in the gift of her little girls.

So, today, in honor of June, I'll share with readers Lillie's poem written so long ago.

When the golden sun is setting
And the busy day is done,
Then we have a children’s party
Filled with music and with fun.
Four round eyes are focused on me;
Two of brown and two of blue.
God’s own artists sent to serve me
Songs of old and songs of new.
I can see sweet Sissy smiling;
I can hear gay Ginnie’s laugh;
And my heart is brimming over
As I play my phonograph.

Dancing gaily, tripping lightly,
Ginnie follows all the airs;
Sissy sits and coos on blithely,
Follows me with baby stares.
All the song birds from Caruso
Down to Williams’ slow wit
Seems to offer aid or do so
For my babes with my permit.
Millions could not buy my pleasure,
Nor could I tell the world one half
How my heart is filled with rapture
As I play my phonograph.

--Lillian Short Halter