Will you please read my story, it won`t take you long,
It's about the hard times, how we got along, they say that for no man waits for the time or the tide but in some way or another, the Lord will provide.
You`ll raise a large family of eight, ten or more, they`ll grow up and leave you, then it`s worse than before. you worry by day, you worry by night, and you trust in the lord to keep them alright.
When I was a small child I was taken from home I missed my dear parents and felt so alone but I was a smart kid if I say so myself and thanks be to god, I was blessed with health.
I started school in 1921, I lived with my aunt till my school term was done, which was only four months; you can believe it or not. It was the only education I ever got.
My aunt was as cruel as cruel could be, and many a time she put bruises on me. I was just eight years old and so far from my home, so that's why I decided to write this true poem.
I wrote to my father and asked him to come to take me back home where I had come from He came and took me away from that place and I rushed to his arms, with tears on my face.
It was just two years later when my poor father died he was lost in the country with no one by his side, just himself and his dog, his rifle and slide. He must have too sick and laid down and died.
I remember my mother, so tiny and small she couldn`t afford to look after us all so she gave us away, and we drifted apart and we grew up like strangers, with no feeling at heart.
I worked as a servant when I was just ten and that's my hardship did really begin. you were up in the morning just at the break of day with half enough food and not one word to say.
You took what they gave you and daren`t ask for more. The times were so bad and ye people so poor. I worked at one place for four long, dreary years; No luxury, no money, only heartaches and tears.
When I was fourteen and left on my own, I would take a big dory and row off alone. I didn`t mind the sea, the wind or the tide because I always remembered the lord will provide.
When I was sixteen, I left that old place to start life all over in some different place, but it wasn`t much better in 1928 when I first came to Channel ion November the eight.
I worked for a family that was dear to my heart The wages, five dollars, if you were quite smart. By the time you bought shoes, a dress or a skirt your money was gone and your pride, it was hurt.
I then met a fine man and son we were wed, with a house of our own, a stove and a bed and then came the children of which there were nine, to clothe them and feed them, took all of our time.
They were precious to us as the stars in the skies, with only one daughter and eight little boys, but I learned from experience that the good Lord knows best He took three of my darlings and laid them to rest.
I raised my dear daughter, she`s the ride of our life likewise my five sons and they all have a wife but I still love them dearly even though they are gone, but the memories of their childhood still lingers on.
Now we are both in our sixties and the best years are past. The years pass so swiftly and the days go so fast To turn back the pages, there`s nothing to gain, only heartaches and memories to cause your heart pain.
Now my story is finished and the truth I have told for many long years through this earth, I have strolled. I`ve been many places and I just love to roam, but I always come back to my dear home, sweet home.
Now all you young teenagers, take my advice; Be proud of your parents and treat them real nice. You won't have them forever, we all know that's true. And what happened to me, I hope won`t happen to you.
I hope you enjoyed my mother's story, anytime you feel down remember just how fortunate you are?????
Wayne