Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
If you have roses, bless your soul,
Just pin one on my buttonhole
While I’m alive and well – today;
Don’t wait until I’ve gone away.
Photo by Hassan OUAJBIR on Pexels.com
Don’t tell the folks I was a saint
Or any old thing that I ain’t.
If you have jam like that to spread,
Please pass it out before I’m dead.
Photo by Adam Kontor on Pexels.com
That poem was one of several posted on a piece of cardboard
inside my mom’s kitchen cabinet door. She created the collection
in 1937 from poems posted weekly in the local newspaper.
I have it inside my kitchen cabinet now.
The poet, unknown, went on to write:
Don’t go and buy a large bouquet
For which you find it hard to pay.
Don’t mope around and feel all blue –
I may be better off than you.
Photo by Kaboompics .com on Pexels.com
My mom had that poem memorized. She recited it often.
I am grateful for her love of poetry. She passed it on to me.
I told you in a post this week that my sister (age 82) is suffering from Alzheimer’s.
I was thinking of this poem today as I visited a friend in the hospital,
and as I wrote a card to my sis. I included a collage of pictures from our childhood.
Her short-term memory may be fading, but her long-term memory is intact.
Here is a sampling of some of the photos I included:
She’s on the left. That’s me on the right. We were in junior high here, I think.
Sally was all dolled up for her senior prom.
I’m in red (still my favorite color) and pregnant with our first child.
Sally is in black with her husband and their oldest daughter.
That’s our Dad and Mom in the front (you figured that out!)
Sometimes a collage of old photos is even better than
pinning a rose on your buttonhole, don’t you think?
Just whatever you plan to do, do it!
Don’t wait ’til it’s too late!
Comments on: "Don’t Wait ’til it’s Too Late!" (6)
I love these photos! Don’t you think I looked a lot like you when I was in junior high? Btw, you said Sally has dementia, not Alzheimer’s. They’re quite different diseases. I think she can still communicate, right? Marcelle has long stopped communicating with her loved ones. It’s really a terrible malady. I’m so grateful that you are so well, momma! I love you!
Dementia is the umbrella, DeDe. There are many forms of it. Alzheimer’s is one of the worst. Sally’s is at the early stages. I think the Apathy ( or depression) may be the greater visible sign right now. Just pray for her! And send a card!
I will be visiting her soon!
I love this! We all wait too long for something. Then BAM! you’re (in my case) 66, wondering where your life has gone. Love that moment, squeeze that baby, and write that poem today!
Bless you! Thanks for visiting and commenting. Have a fabulous Sunday! ❤️👍🏽
Good for your Mom