Memories of mum

Mum used to get up at 5:30 am
She would light the wood stove
To make creamed rice or semolina
For our breakfast; before we left  for school
She worked alongside dad; labouring 
In the grape harvest; picking oranges
Picking peas for old Mr Schields; across the road
Planting and harvesting tomatoes
Cutting apricots at Harrington's shed
And later at our own cutting shed
She packed oranges for export and local markets
At Moorook Co-operative packing shed
Cooking for our family and taking care of us
Was a very important part of her life
In our cutting shed; mum always provided
Morning and afternoon tea for every worker
She would get up very early 
To make thermos' full of hot black tea
Sandwiches of cheese and Vegemite
Or of tomato, onion and capsicum
Her honey biscuits were the best!
Her cooking was the best!
Almost right up to the end
She cooked one meal everyday
Only in her last few months did she cease
When it all became too much...

Thank you my darling for your dedication
Thank you for your precious love
I pray now that you are resting 
In God's precious arms; above...