Bella's Day Poem by Francis Duggan

An occasion I won't forget
As long in me as there is living breath
And the memory with me will stay
Of Little Bella's Christening Day.

At the church of Calvary
Some familiar faces to me
And others I'd not seen before
And maybe to see never more.

Little Bella's mother Rachel Thorn
Proudly displayed her first born
With a big smile on her face
In the gathering she took pride of place.

And Bella's father Dave and his family
They were all strangers to me
But what matter anyway
We all were there for Bella's Day

Dave's mother and sisters were there
In the occasion for to share
And his sisters had big part to play
As God Mothers for Bella's Christening Day.

The maternal grand mother Anthea the occasion enjoyed
And she will yet look back in pride
To when Father Pat Malone the Christening prayer said
Whilst pouring water on Bella's head.

The God Father Peter Barling on the front row did sit
And by him the christening candle lit
For the occasion suitably dressed
And on Bella's day he looked his best

Bella's maternal great aunt Olga O Connell there
Wheeled in by Anthea on her wheel chair
More than four score of years she has seen
And still as happy as she has ever been.

And the grand aunt Janice Trenair
Made the long trip from Victoria to be there
She said I'd come from twice as far away
Just to be part of Bella's Day.

And then the Christening party at the Kurrawa surf club
An afternoon of drink and grub
That overlooked the sunlit beach and sea
It seemed Utopia to me.

Paul and Serena for the party arrived a little late
And Serena left early since she had a date
But they enjoyed the afternoon
And the few hours passed all too soon.

Till the reaper call on me
Whenever that time may be
The memory with me will stay
Of little Bella's Christening Day.