Quietly Remembering Poem by RoseAnn V. Shawiak

Wading along shore, waves lapping at our feet, reminders of when
little, slapping them with both feet and laughing with glee, so
happy back then.

Now quietly remembering those happy times with Mom, Dad, sisters
and brother, being the oldest and for a while being the only one,
having my parents to myself.

What a joy it was in my little life, loved, being the center of
attention, well taken care of, couldn't have asked for better
parents or home life.

Then along came a sister, Mom had to take time to care for her,
I'd play for hours alone, then another sister was born and an-
other, I lost even more time with Mom, Dad was always working.

Taking care, entertaining myself, drawing, writing, putting to-
gether puzzles, reading books, at four years old Mom took time
to teach me how to read and write, improving the situation.

Thanking Mom for teaching so well, it has helped all through life,
three more sisters and a brother were born later on, by this time
being shy and introverted, not wanting to be with anyone.

Being loved and cherished by my maternal Grandma, her very first
Grandchild, we became very close, she'd always tell stories of
Sicily and growing up there.

Explaining it's landscape, where she was born, how she got here
to the U.S.A., struggled, married had children, her first two
were twins who died at two years of age.

One was being buried, when she got back home the other one had
died, a heartbreaking story that touched me forever, she meant
the world to me.