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| BEFORE MY TIME |
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| Song: ' TIME AFTER TIME" Sequenced by Les Gorven ~ permission given |
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| There are two people very dear to me, Most of their years were before my time. I have heard stories .... a few have been retreived, Their lives were so happy and intertwined. My grandfather, affectionately called Papa Levi, Who met a beautiful young lady, who soon was his bride. We called her Grandma Nora, she was proud to be, The wife of Papa Levi, and together they did abide. They worked a farm not too far from my present home, Riches they had, but not the spendable kind, That had love for each other and the little bit they owned. They worked the fields, an income to provide. They started a family and raised a total of six, Five girls and finally a boy to carry Papa's name. And that was all they added to their list. All chipped in and chopped rows, all the same. Laundry day was always a big deal I've been told, With a big iron pot with water, boiling over a fire. They were scrubbed on a washboard, sometimes in the cold. No matter the weather they all needed attire. Grandma was a stickler for things being clean So they would carry the feather mattresses out to air. This was a yearly ritual as soon as it was Spring. She told the children that bedbugs lived in there. She made everyone's clothes outer and under, The girls would swap dresses to have something new. And even wear Grandma's sometimes if they fit, Everything was shared and all was equipped. Papa Levi sharecropped in tobacco raising, and to cure, It was a family affair right down to watching barns at night. They helped keep the fire going to get best results for sure. Grandma stoked the fire, the youngun's in the wagon, sleeping tight. I have always wanted to be back in those days to live It all sounds like a big adventure compared to my days. Life was hard, and yet simple, with lots of love to give, And all were happy I am told, and were use to the ways. Papa liked to drink sometimes I was told, And he had ways to get hold of some moonshine, The son-in-laws were there to share the load And Grandma didn't like it but she would say, nevermine. She taught her children about Jesus and salvation, And walked with them to church on Sunday mornings. While Papa sobbered up and would join the relations, On Sunday afternoon, for fried chicken and for warnings The love they share passed down through generations, And Papa finally found his way to church and God And one happy day, he accepted Salvation. It all happened way before my time, but I have heard all involved. They had a happy marriage and lived a good life, Then one day in 1981 God chose to call him home And there was grandma Nora left behind to cry. She always missed him terribly but now she's not alone. Oh yes, I would loved to have been there To witness all of the above, All the funny stories, and happiness they shared, But they are etched down in my heart with great love. She carried on each day with his memory still alive. Of all the days of good and sometimes bad But she was so happy to have those memories to abide. She always lived each day God gave her with all she had. Then one lovely day in 1999, God took Grandma away, She went to rest in Jesus arms, She would have been 102 in just a few days There will always be an imprint of them both in my heart. Written By Shirley Barr April 19, 2005 In loving memory of Grandma Nora and Papa Levi |
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