Rhyme Time

A number of years ago I compiled my small collection of poems into notebooks to give to family members and friends. The following poem is one I wrote for the cover page.

My Poems

My poems can take me anywhere,

To places far and wide.

Or enter the chambers of my heart

To reveal what's there inside.

I can climb the highest mountains,

Describe a panoramic view.

I can paint a winter landscape

Though the morning's fresh with dew.

I can write about my feelings,

Somehow it always clears my mind!

And pull up pleasant memories

Of another place and time.

My poems can tell of sweet romance,

Of love that's strong and true.

I can detail every hurt and tear

When that love affair is through.

My poems can travel, see, and feel,

I'm the actress on the stage.

Whatever part I wish to play

Will be recorded on some page.

1995

A Cherished Poem by my Sister

As part of my birthday, my daughters are making me a scrapbook. They asked for comments from friends and family. My sister, Donna, wrote me a poem that reduced me to tears. I want to share it here, although I realize that some of it are inside jokes between us, while most is about our relationship during childhood.

Donna and I usually had kitchen duty and we harmonized while doing dishes. It made the chore bearable and faster. We also used to write poems for each other, most of which were tacky but all in fun. Now that I've set the stage, here's her beautiful poem.

A Poem For My Sister, Peggy

How do I start to write a rhyme for someone like my Sis,
As her ability is far better; that talent gene I missed.
Battle of the poets, she would always win.
Making fun of my bra size was to me a sin.

Early in our childhood, we had our standard chores,
Sweeping, dusting, mopping and picking up the floors.
We'd be doing dishes, Peggy washed and I dried,
Singing and telling stories, yes, making this fun, we tried.

My sister Peg is good, but also she is vain,
The rear view mirror episode was really quite insane.
I'd love to know the sacker's thoughts when to you he said goodbye.
That one last look in the mirror, didn't you just want to cry?

I'm so thankful I was blessed with the sister that I got,
She always treated me special though I could be a little snot.
Pretending I was Peggy when the cute young boys would phone,
Begging to go with her and Pat so I wouldn't be alone.

Peggy finds humor in oh so many things,
Though her heart is warm and generous, gives without any strings.
She is a friend of mine and I know to many others,
A wonderful grandma to nine and a kind and loving mother.

I thank God for you, Peggy, you have always shown you cared,
Even with your offspring you were willing with me to share.
I'm looking toward eternity at that heavenly kitchen sink,
Singing Drummer Boy with our Daddy,
He'd like that, don't you think?

I love you, Sissy!

Donna

Isn't that beautiful? Tears were stinging my eyes as I typed it. I will no longer make fun of Donna's poetry after this masterpiece. Well, maybe in fun.

Thank you, Donna, for words I will treasure for a lifetime. I love my Sissy!

Rhyme Time

The following poem was written in the mid 1980s as I reflected on my marriage. I wish every marriage could be this rich, this lasting, and this fulfilling. I am privileged to have been the other half of a union that worked so well. This is for you, Chezzy, with love.

Through The Years

The towels we received at our bridal shower
Are now discolored and worn.
The easy chair and the sofa
Look tattered and one is torn.

The carpet already has been replaced
And the roof has sprung a leak.
But our marriage shows no wear through the years,
It's better and complete.

The house has been painted, both inside and out,
And several windows have been redressed.
The repairs on the washer and dryer
Haven't left me very impressed.

Two rooms have seen new wallpaper
And another is over-due.
But there's newness in this love we share,
Every day I spend with you.

Wedding gifts and houses
Do not improve with time.
There's replacing and repairing
To keep them working fine.

How glad I am this love of ours
Is stronger in every way.
For you don't repair something that's better
Than it was on your wedding day.

Rhyme Time

I was happily married and sharing the love in my heart with my husband when I wrote the sequel to A Girl's First Love for my Dad, Sugar, in honor of Father's Day.

Still A Girl's First Love

It's been over ten years ago
Since I wrote the poem for you,
That said you were a girl's first love
And today it still holds true.

Although my teen years are over,
It makes no difference that I'm grown.
I still cherish very deeply
The love you gave me there at home.

I'll always be a Daddy's Girl,
Though years come and go.
My love keeps getting stronger
For one of the dearest men I know.

Although you aren't the only man
Who's in my heart today.
You fill the same special spot
And there you'll always stay.

So often I get on my knees
And thank the Lord above,
That I've been blessed with Sugar
Who's still a girl's first love.

Peggy Chrusciaki, Circa 1976

Rhyme Time

I'll be sharing poetry every few days and giving a brief history about each one. This one, A Girl's First Love, is probably not the first poem I ever wrote, but the first one I kept. I was sweet 16 when I wrote this in honor of my Dad and slipped it under his bedroom door after he went to bed. I awoke to his hugs and kisses the next morning, assuring me how much he appreciated it.

A Girl's First Love

They say a girl's first love is a happy one
Filled with everything nice and gay.
They say it happens in her teenage years
On a very special day.

But a girl falls in love when she opens her eyes
And looks in her father's face.
A man who dressed his baby girl
In flannel gowns and lace.

A man who spent each spare moment
Teaching you how to sing.
A man who's brought more happiness
Than any man can bring.

You love this man who spent a day
Teaching you how to ski,
And you burst with pride and glad to say
He really belongs to me!

He's watched you grow out of some childish things
That we all must overcome.
He's watched you bite your nails, tease your hair,
And smack a wad of gum.

He's also sat through a long row of hours
While you were on a date.
Maybe he's afraid that little boy
Has taken your heart to break.

Your tears may fall, your world turns sad,
You think life is wrong.
But Dad is waiting patiently
To cheer you up with a song.

Oh a girl's first love never dies,
It lingers on forever.
Because a girl's first love is her father,
And he will leave her never.

Peggy Chrusciaki 1966

Happy Birthday, Callan!

It's hard to believe a year has passed since we waited anxiously for the birth of our little Callan. And this happy guy was well worth the wait. He's celebrating his first birthday today with his family. I'm sure he will be allowed to plow into his vegan cake. We want pictures!

Callan John

Our wait was finally over,
The result was mighty fine!
As your Daddy announced the arrival
Of my grandchild number nine.

As tears streaked your Mommy's face,
She held you to her breast.
And together you forged a bond
As you settled in peaceful rest.

Your presence is still a blessing
For we all love Calle Bear;
With your captivating eyes of blue,
Blond locks of curly hair.

You're such a happy baby,
The cutest smile adorns your face.
And those eager little arms
Are always ready to embrace.

You have a sunny disposition,
Never much to fuss about.
That you are loved and wanted,
You never had a doubt.

God surely blessed this family
When He gave us YOU to love.
For you're a gift from heaven,
Finely crafted from above.

This picture was captured during one of my visits while he watched Ashton and Juliet climb a tree in their front yard.
Callan with his proud Mama on his first Christmas.
Look at that smile! He's such a happy boy who brings smiles to the faces of others.
Here he is at two weeks old when I got to meet him and fall in love all over again. I love those tiny feet peeking from the blanket.

Have a wonderful first birthday, Callan. I love my little guy so much!

Rhyme Time

I wrote the following poem when my son Ron was a child. I thought it was a good time to share it since his own son has a birthday next week. Actually, I have two grandsons having a birthday this month so it's appropriate to honor boys today.

This Moment

This moment while you slumber,
Lying peacefully in your bed,
I bend down closer to you
And plant a kiss upon your head.

Tonight you're just a little boy,
All exhausted from your play.
Sleeping soundly and preparing
To face another day.

This moment I stand in silence
Thinking how grand you are to me.
Remembering little things you've done,
You're all a son should be.

I smile when I think
Of all the clever things you say,
And how your expressions change so much
In that boyish little way.

Oh, this moment, my dear little son
Is passing quickly before my eyes.
Soon morning will ease the darkness
And the sun will warm the skies.

If only time would pause awhile
Instead of rushing at its pace.
To give me time to look again
Upon your youthful face.

But tomorrow will come and go,
And one day when you awake,
I'll no longer see a child
For a man's place you will take.

Oh this moment is so important
I must grasp it while I can!
Before my child grows up
From a boy into a man.

- Peggy Chrusciaki
Circa 1978

Happy 1st Birthday, Sophia!

My first year with little Sophia

Oh, how she stole my heart!

I melt when in her presence,

There's so much love that she imparts.

She has such a gentle temperament,

I've seldom heard her cry.

She's so filled with contentment

That few tears are there to dry.

How sweet to kiss her silken cheeks,

To squeeze her chubby thighs.

And see the innocent pleasure

In her blue dancing eyes.

It thrills me how she kicks her legs

When I come into view.

I'm as putty in her tiny hands,

Just knowing she loves me, too.

What could be more wondrous,

What joy could be as great?

As loving little Sophia,

My grandchild number eight.

Thank you, Lord, for bringing

Sophia into my world.

My life is ever richer

With this precious little girl.

For Sophia with all my love, Memaw

Where Am I?

When day turns into endless night,
The battles over, I lost the fight;
That God is there I have no doubt,
Anxious to help me work it out.

My faith in God is not at stake,
I know He feels each heartache.
He is present, my God on high.
The question is, Lord, where am I?

He hears every whispered prayer,
He longs to tell me He is there.
“I’ll take away your hurt and fear.
Come close enough so you can hear.”

My heart cries out for help divine,
I gladly welcome peace sublime.
God is waiting with answers sound.
He looks for me, I can’t be found.

I trust you, Lord, with all my heart,
I know You’re willing to impart
The wealth that comes from heaven’s store,
To fill my life with something more.

The struggle has to do with me,
I’m not where I’m supposed to be.
Upon Your presence I can rely,
My problem, Lord, is where am I?

Happy 3rd Birthday, Baylee!

On August twenty-seventh,

In the year two thousand and four;

We welcomed little Baylee

With smiles and love galore.

She's as sweet as cotton candy,

As fresh as the morning dew;

Her silky, curly crown of hair

Is a rich milk chocolate hue.

Her Mom and Dad rejoiced

At their first little girl.

Her presence is as sunshine,

She's brightened up our world.

She has such a tender heart

For animals large and small.

Cats, dogs and ponies,

Baylee loves them all.

What could be more precious

Than a heart to match that face?

With her big dancing eyes,

And arms ready to embrace.

She's such a priceless treasure,

One created from above.

Thank you, Lord, for giving us

This blessed girl to love.

Baylee, Memaw loves you so much. You are a little doll.

Happy Birthday, Thomas!

Happy 6th Birthday, Thomas

My first precious grandson,

Our little Thomas boy.

How our hearts burst with love

And our lives filled with joy.

How could anyone resist

Those curly locks of hair,

A soft, pure gold that framed

A face so sweet and fair.

Now those curls are cropped

To fit an older guy,

One who's now in school,

Oh, the years so swift go by.

His eyes are like sapphires,

Such a handsome shade of blue.

He's missing one baby tooth

And soon it will be two.

He's an ace on his bike

And knows how to take a curve,

He loves to go repelling,

Our Thomas has some nerve!

Transformers and Hot Wheels,

And action video games;

Muscle cars and hot rods,

He can tell you all their names.

Nails, snails, puppy dog tails,

Any rough and rowdy toy,

Yet, so loving and affectionate,

That's our Thomas boy.

Happy Birthday, Thomas, from Memaw. I love you.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Juliet!

Little Juliet

If heaven sent an angel

To fill a special place,

I know it would be Juliet

By the sweetness in her face.

With her delicate little features

And her big chocolate eyes,

I'm sure our little Juliet

Is an angel in disguise.

She loves being a girl

Who wears a pretty dress.

And sometimes she's just a toddler

Who has made another mess.

Juliet is a Daddy's Girl,

She's completely won his heart.

And often clings to Mommy

If she fears they'll be apart.

Yes, if heaven sent an angel

To spread love and grace,

I can see a heavenly presence

In Juliet's glowing face.

Happy 2nd birthday, Juliet. Memaw loves you so much!

Bandera Bound (I Wish)

Problems are mounting every day,
I'm anxious now to run away.
My mind's no longer safe and sound,
How I long to be Bandera bound.

Work's become a major stress,
Bills are more, money's less.
I need a dose of my BB,
Bandera's where I long to be.

With daily naps and games to play,
It keeps the tension far away.
It's a happy time with treats galore,
Bandera! I keep wanting more!

A haven of peace and solitude,
No bill collectors being rude.
Just pleasant talk with my BB,
Bandera's where I long to be.

With medical bills out of mind,
Like other debts, all left behind,
My tension finds a blessed end
When spending time with a cherished friend.

If heaven had an earthly site,
No more troubles, no more fight.
I know exactly where I'd be,
In Bandera with my BB.

Happy Birthday, Camryn!

Happy birthday, Camryn,

You're someone I adore.

And with each passing birthday,

I grow to love you more.

Today you're "Darling Fourteen",

Oh, how time has flown!

Our precious baby girl

Before our eyes have grown.

You have such a tender heart,

And there's beauty in your smile.

Your character is genuine.

Only goodness, nothing vile.

You apply yourself at school

And make us all feel proud.

You bring a ray of sunshine

Where before were only clouds.

You have learned that beauty

Is inside as well as out.

Sincerity and gentleness

Are what Camryn's all about.

Happy birthday, Sweetheart,

Enjoy your special day.

And know that you are loved

Even more than I can say.

July 8, 2007, By Memaw

Happy Anniversary, Jerry & Sharon

Allison's in-laws, Jerry and Sharon, are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary this weekend with a party hosted by their children.

As part of the celebration, Allison collected tributes from their friends and family, recent and not-so-recent pictures of their life together, and compiled it all into a beautiful scrapbook. Now that the secret is out - they were presented the scrapbook last night - I can share the poem I wrote for the occasion. My daughter, Angela, suggested that I post it and I said I would after the scrapbook was revealed.

Jerry is a pastor and much of their life was traveling around the country and ministering in various churches. Their 40-year marriage produced three children and five grandchildren (so far?). Happy Anniversary, Jerry and Sharon. May the Lord bless you with many, many more years together.

Take This Journey

Take this journey with me
In the early morning light.
Our future shines before us,
Hold my hand and squeeze it tight.

The path may not be easy
As we travel far and wide,
But God's directing every step
And you're close by my side.

Take this journey with me
As we proclaim the written word.
Share a ministry from heaven.
The dearest ever heard.

Together we'll have a family,
Our lives will be complete.
As we love and lead and cherish
Three little sets of feet.

Take this journey with me,
Life is sweeter when it's shared.
Embrace the love that's offered,
Know how much I've always cared.

And when this journey's over,
Our eternal home's in sight;
Praise God He traveled with us
From morning unto night.

Happy Birthday, Ashton!

Our Ashton

On the first day of summer

In the year two thousand and three,

Little Ashton entered the world

And the hearts of his family.

His big blue eyes, his handsome smile

Keep us hypnotized,

His loving, gentle presence

Has greatly blessed our lives.

Heaven must have rejoiced

When God made this little boy,

A mind so sharp that he uses

A calculator as a toy!

Numbers are his favorite

And he finds them any place,

From grocery lists to temperatures,

From Earth to outer space.

We stand in awe and wonder

At our young genius guy,

Whose knowledge is so vast

That his limit is the sky.

We thank our heavenly Father

For in His wisdom knew,

We'd be happier and richer

All because of you!

Happy 4th birthday, Ashton. Memaw loves you so much!

Happy "Sweet 16" Candice!

You're sweet 16 today,

My lovely Candy Girl.

My first precious grandchild,

The sweetest in the world.

It doesn't seem too long ago

When I held you in my arms,

And you captured Memaw's heart

With your beauty and your charms.

Each year you've been a blessing

As I watched you learn and grow.

Each moment a time to cherish

Because I love you so.

Your graceful transformation

Has taken me by surprise.

A young lady, not a baby,

Has appeared before my eyes.

You have your act together,

You're more than a pretty face.

You have brains and determination

That can take you anyplace.

You're sweet 16 today,

What a special place to be.

Happy birthday, Candy Girl,

You mean so much to me.

Happy 5th Birthday, Jude!

A blessed day, the Ides of March,
The year was two thousand and two,
When our family proudly assembled
To love and welcome you.

I'll never forget the smile
That was on your mother's face,
I knew her precious baby boy
In her heart had found a place.

And when your Daddy held you
His chest would swell with pride.
You became his little buddy,
Walking closely by his side.

Your Memaw looked at your sweet face
And immediately fell in love.
Your big blue eyes, your tender heart,
All created up above.

Your laughter is a symphony,
Your mere presence is a joy.
There's every cherished quality
Wrapped up in our little boy.

How God must have exclaimed,
"I'll create a wondrous dude!
And give him a loving family,
And they will call him Jude."

I Give This Woman

I give this woman, Clayton
To be your wedded wife.
My last child, my precious daughter
To forever share your life.

I give her unreservedly
For I know you realize
How deep and strong and gentle
Shines the love within her eyes.

Please take the love she offers,
It's deeply rooted in her heart.
And know she'll always cherish
The tender love that you impart.

I give this woman, Clayton
In ivory satin, pearls and lace.
Amid love songs and scented flowers,
A gentle glow upon her face.

Take her moods and sensitivity,
Give her wings so she can fly.
As you take the time to know her
Your wants and needs she won't deny.

I give this woman, Clayton
How I wish her Daddy knew!
He'd said no man was good enough,
He's missed the joy of knowing you.

I feel so blessed and grateful
For the training that you had,
The special molding and direction
Given by your Mom and Dad.

I give this woman, Clayton
Remain steadfast by her side.
I'm so thankful God is once again
The Father of the bride.

1996, for my daughter, Angela.

A Wedding Prayer

Lord, today she's getting married,
My daughter, my joy and pride.
That little girl I nurtured,
Such a beautiful, glowing bride.

A divine plan was placed in action
On Brian's first birthday morn.
As he blew out a single candle
His future wife was born.

They share more than just a birthday,
There's a love that's strong and true.
Let it grow and gently blossom,
Lord, this marriage belongs to you.

Please take her hand into yours,
And walk her down the aisle.
Perpetuate the love and warmth
That today is in her smile.

Deliver her into the arms
Of the man who loves her so.
Commit them to their promises
So they'll never let them go.

Wrap your arms around this man
As he takes my little girl.
May he handle her with tenderness,
Let no sadness touch their world.

Lord, today she's getting married,
How I want her life to be
As full of the love and happiness
That she's always brought to me.

Today it's satin instead of jeans,
And childhood toys are put aside.
My little girl's a woman now,
Lord, You're the Father of the bride.

1995, for my daughter, Allison. How honored I was to be asked by my two daughters to write a wedding poem to be included in their wedding program. Tomorrow I will post the one I wrote for Angela. It's still so vivid in my mind how beautiful both of them looked on their wedding day!