Grandma was a writer, and ever the writer for the Occasion, with a capital "O." I came across one of her New Year's poems, this one from 1991. I just copied down the second half or so, but it made me remember the many, many rhymes she wrote to commemorate special days. It was typed impeccably on a typewriter and signed, "Betty and Lou."
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Excerpt from "Greetings and News of 1991"
Want to know about kids? spouses? ask Dad or Mother
They've had a good year, one way or another
Well, Ben's now in business way up there in Maine
With Ben's Taxi Service - if you call, he'll explain
Bill's IBM job is thus far secure
And as painter and sculptor he's emerging, for sure
Margaret lights up Bill's life with fortissimo
Her piano, her humor, her pasta - ah, belissimo!
Lucy's roles as wife, mother, practitioner nurse
Are fulfilling to her, as well as her purse
And we won't leave out David (known to Rachel as "Pop")
His medical practice keeps him busy non-stop
Back at our ranches in Maine and the city
We continue to flourish - if not wise, at least witty
This summer the house at the foot of the mountain
With laughter, food, guests overflowed like a fountain
They came from all over - Holland, Scotia, "D.C."
Israel, New Hampshire, the Bronx, Italy
They helped cut down trees, they helped do the dishes
They swam in our pond and they caught a few fishes
When our family came we went to the Fair
And found Ruthie's prizewinning drawing right there!
October meant birthdays and visits from brother
We drank wine to celebrate and toasted each other
Our sis-in-law Julie cooked a fabulous meal
I baked Ben's B-day cake and Lou gave the shpiel
Back in New York we unpacked our shoes
And went out on our terrace to admire the views
We're still hale & hearty and glad to be here
To joke with our neighbors till the end of the year
We hope that your year has been good or outstanding
And that '92 offers us all a soft landing
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