The Stick-Together Families
~Edgar Guest~
The stick-together families are happier by far
Than the brothers and the sisters who take separate highways are.
The gladdest people living are the wholesome folks who make
A circle at the fireside that no power but death can break.
And the finest of conventions ever held beneath the sun
Are the little family gatherings when the busy day is done.
There are rich folk, there are poor folk, who imagine they are wise,
And they're very quick to shatter all the little family ties.
Each goes searching after pleasure in his own selected way,
Each with strangers likes to wander, and with strangers likes to play.
But it's bitterness they harvest, and it's empty joy they find,
For the children that are wisest are the stick-together kind.
There are some who seem to fancy that for gladness they must roam,
That for smiles that are the brightest they must wander far from home.
That the strange friend is the true friend, and they travel far astray
And they waste their lives in striving for a joy that's far away,
But the gladdest sort of people, when the busy day is done,
Are the brothers and the sisters who together share their fun.
It's the stick-together family that wins the joys of earth,
That hears the sweetest music and that finds the finest mirth;
It's the old home roof that shelters all the charm that life can give;
There you find the gladdest play-ground, there the happiest spot to live.
And, O weary, wandering brother, if contentment you would win,
From "Just Folks", The Reilly & Lee Co., (c) 1917
http://www.with-heart-and-hands.com/2015/08/making-fidget-quilts-for-alzheimers.html
Michele Bilyeu Creates With Heart and Hands as she shares her imaginative, magical, and healing journey from Alaska to Oregon. Creating, designing, sewing, quilting, and wildcrafting... from my heart and with my hands.
7 comments:
I know of some siblings who stick together tight but have pushed mom out.... why? because she has a gentleman friend .... hey Dad has been dead six years .... something is not right....
Susie Q, this is the kind of thing that does cause arguing over the Thanksgiving table! All of our criticisms,perceived slights or injustices or fears abd rivalries come surging out. Thinking abd sending you good thoughts.
I have a book of poems by Edgar Guest. It was one my father had that he passed on to me before Alzheimer's took away his ability to make sense of poetry because he knew I borrowed it many times.
The Alzheimer's fidget quilt above is amazing. Would love to know how you did the amazing "Rockwell" picture portion as well as the rest of the quilt.
My brother just went through this with his children when he started dating again. He talked to them. He told them he could never forget their mother as they were married for 40 years. He told them he was not replacing her, it is just that he wanted someone to do things with and companionship. It is hard for the kids, but it helped that he listened to them and addressed their fears and did not dismiss their feelings. I don't know how the particulars in your situation, but you have a life of your own and needs apart from your children. I will be praying for you all.
What a lovely and heartfelt poem... I love it. so well said and so true. My 3 sisters and I are spread apart by half a state, and one nephew moved to Florida... why? I suppose like the poem says, "and they waste their lives in striving for a joy that's far away"... makes me very sad to see most families split up by a continent. I would loved to have lived in an era where families stayed together in one town! It's too busy now.. everyone is striving for "something" to bring happiness, when it's right at their back door. such a shame.
Thank you, getting some perspective on the situation to Suzy Q and others. The stories we all have to tell her so meaningful and can be so helpful as we share them. I appreciate both of you and your comments.
Marilyn, thank you for such a lovely comment. It is filled with insight and you are right it is sad always striving for something more. And usually it's right there with our families... all of them..and the bonds we need yo work on abd even cherish and just can't see it.
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