The Family Tree

We went to my dad's house this past weekend and while I was there we started going through alot of my grandma and grandpa's old pictures/albums/papers. I've had this huge desire lately to work on my family history, so I was pumping my dad for as much info as possible. One of the jewels that we came across was my grandma's baby book that her mother had made for her. I can't read most of it because it's in german, but she did write a little in english too. My favorites are two poems that she wrote to my grandma, both of which happen to be in english. I was so excited to find these because, as some of you know, I love to write poetry as well (though I haven't really had the chance lately), so I felt this immediate connection with her. I just wanted to include the poems that she wrote because they are super sweet and really well-written.

"May Future with her kindest smiles

Wreathe laurels for thy brow;

May loving Nature guard and keep thee

Ever pure as thou art now."

My Dream of You

"I had a little Dream of you,

before you came down here,

A wonder dream so very true,

My own, my baby dear.

A little dream so tender sweet,

It brought a smile, a tear -

Love's rainbow flashing out to greet

And welcome you my dear.

'Twas but a dream, a fancy flight,

For since I hold you near,

The joy of you through day and night,

No dream could tell my dear."

Something else that I learned is that my grandmother (whose name was Margaret - yes there is a direct correlation) was called Gretel by her parents. My sister keeps razzing me about giving Margaret a nickname and insisting that it be Mags b/c that's what my grandpa called my grandma all of the time. As much as I love my grandma, I really don't love the name Mags; but Gretel is entirely different... I could get used to Gretel... We'll have to see; I really can't see (my) Margaret as anything but Margaret right now... and Margaret is a beautiful name.