Happily, Even After

 Happily, EVEN after

Most every little girl wants her “happily ever after”,
A Cinderella moment filled with tearful laughter,
Her fairy tale prince charming sweeping her off her feet,
A match made in heaven and her life is complete,
The magical wedding of her dreams followed by a picket fence of white,
Then the pitter-patter of little babies where it once was quiet,
She dreamed of this moment and how she would feel,
She pinched herself because it all seemed surreal,
Three boys she birthed, and they raised them with care,
Time flew by, and soon their nest would be bare,
Just as the last boy was moving away,
The news came that sent shock waves in an unpalatable way,
Her husband of thirty-three years had a terminal illness,
“An uncurable cancerous brain tumor” rang out in the stillness,
In a blink of an eye the life they had known,
Was now a life of her living alone,
What happened to her “happily ever after”?
The life she had imagined and eagerly sought-after?
Her “happily ever after” had suddenly changed,
Her “happily ever after” had been rearranged!
Was she going to let the situation crush her now?
No. She would get through it all somehow.
“Happily, even after” became her new mantra,
Finding happiness after loss is something extra,
While still honoring the memories, she chose to seek contentment,
What was the point in harboring resentment?
Choosing to be happy again is a place to start,
It warms the soul and heals the heart.

Tammy Harvey
8/26/2022

Built to Last

Vintage

What is it about vintage items that really catches my eye?
It’s nostalgic, of course, but I still wonder why?
My eyes are drawn to the styles of the past,
It gives me a sense of peace that things were built to last,
Fifty-year-old items are just as functional today,
Old furniture has a priceless charm in a special way,
Classic ceramics, bottles, and all things breakable,
Still in mint condition is especially notable,
A flea market is the place to go for treasures of old,
Just strolling through these items makes me think of stories untold,
If these items could talk, what would they say?
Who were their owners and where did they stay?
How did they stand the test of time?
Were they sold in the local five and dime?
Maybe they were handmade by artisans with a craft to share,
Or made in a factory overseas somewhere,
I hope they are preserved for other generations to see,
What some may see as junk, I see as history.

Tammy Harvey
8/19/2022

Firefighter FUN

 

Firetruck Luck

A Birthday party for my grandson turning 3,

Was held at the local fire station for friends and family,

Firefighters gave us a lesson in fire safety and more…

Charles demonstrated stop, drop and roll on the floor,

A look inside the firetruck was a cool thing for the kids,

But didn’t compare to the next thing they did…

The truck was connected to the hydrant and the hose to the truck,

And just like that, we were all in luck,

The water sprayed out like no one had ever seen before,

Everyone had a chance to assist the fireman, but still there was more…

The bright sun and water spray cast a huge rainbow on the ground,

While the arch of water was heavenward bound,

Then Charles started to venture out into the spray,

Running under the water in a curious way,

All the children joined in on this adventure with him,

And soon there were no dry clothes on any of them,

It had become a game of playing out in the “rain”,

Where fun and laughter did not wane,

The hospitality of the firefighters was so incredible,

It was an experience that will be unforgettable,

These brave firefighters made a huge impression on us all,

Their contribution to our community is in no way small,

They deserve recognition for the services they provide,

It was such a privilege to get a peek inside,

A fire station Birthday- a great idea- with one suggestion:

Bring a change of clothes, without question.

Tammy Harvey

8/16/2022