Reflections
Today all those that you hold dear
Join with you to celebrate
A wedding day of yesteryear
May the 6th, 1948.
With few possessions in your hand
And loved ones left behind
You journeyed to another land
A new home for to find.
Passage was sought across the sea
On a ship not all that sound
And quite a bit of time it’d be
E’er your new home was found.
Reminders of your home and past
Returned to you of sorts
For perched atop the lofty mast
Was that famous bird – the stork.
And when you reached the eastern shore
He was never far behind.
Bringing almost yearly more
Wee blessings of his kind.
First Grace, then Anne, and after Bill
Came John and Bram and me,
Jenny, Pat, Hilda, Rita, and still
There came another three.
Sylvia Harold and Connie were sent
But tireless that stork wasn’t
It seemed at last he was content
We were a baker’s dozen.
At times I know we’ve caused you pain
At other times brought pleasure
The happy memories we retain
Are a very special treasure.
Our family shares a special love
That only largeness bids
For we all know the closeness of
A dozen other kids.
But to the stork we owe not thanks
For all our happiness
With health and love in all our ranks
The Lord has surely blessed.
And thank you Mom and Dad for all
The love and care you’ve shown
For teaching us that when we fall
We are not all alone.
It’s not material things that bring
us joy and happiness
But honest love and sharing
Our lives will truly bless.
We thank the Lord that we could share
This wonderful event
And hope that in His tender care
Our lives will all be spent.
With love from your daughter,
on the occasion of your 35thWedding Anniversary,
May 6th1983
Teresa E. de Jong