My sweet Amy

My Amy followed me everywhere
She was my little shadow
No matter where I went
Amy was sure to follow
Epilepsy almost claimed her

During fits I would hold her
She knew when I was due home
She'd be waiting beside the door
When working at home
She'd be watching; pacing the floor
Waiting to see where I would go
I'd say "Amy; just take a rest
I'll be passing by; at best
All day long I'll be on the go
Watch me from your basket
You know: I won't be far
My darling; just stay where you are!"
Her eyes would follow me
As I passed by regularly...
Dear Lord I miss her
My precious little girl
She's up in doggy heaven
Resting peacefully I know

June 2019

Happy 81st Birthday my darling mum

Happy Birthday my darling mum
Today you would have been 81
It's been 2 1/2 years since you've been gone
God I miss you; wish I could have a rerun
Here in photographs are some memories
Blurry black and whites; a few cherries
Your friends; your precious family
Missing you; just as much as I do...
Dad too is gone to be with you
Reunited; you two lovers are at last...
Carnations planted in your honour had no scent
But I remember how you loved them; still
Recalling your last precious hours with me
I am thinking of you at this time of year
God bless you my sweetest dear

Photos: b &w 1960's
Evaleah's birth September 2013
Alex Steczina's birthday 11th Feb 2015
Cherries picked for you by dad 7th Dec 2016
You hand in mine 28th Dec 2016
The butterfly on your hospital room door at your passing 28th Dec 2016
Carnations planted in your honour 28th Dec 2017

Written 24th June 2019

Bones

The bones of the dead and dying 
Lay piled upon the ground; dry
Too pained to be even crying
As the sun soared high in the sky
And the birds of prey flew; circling 
Waiting to begin their coming feast
For soon none would be moving 
Neither woman, child, man nor beast

23rd May 2019

The new shoes

He needed new shoes
The old ones were shabby
I couldn't afford the money
So I prayed; asked maybe
Could you please help me
Cover my poor son's feet
I don't have much money
Struggling to make ends meet

I knew just where to find them
I knew just where to go
For in my head a picture formed
Yes: there: as I brainstormed
I could see them...

So I headed to that op-shop
Headed down Brighton Road
Crossed over that railway track
There was no turning back...

There they were; just waiting

In the right size
Ready for me to purchase
The price I could handle; a prize

Thank you Lord for guidance
Thank you for that day
For sending your dear angels
For answering my prayers

As I took them to my son's place
I was happy to say the least
It may be many months later
He proudly wears them upon his feet

Written 26th May 2019
Purchased 11:58 am  22nd November 2017
Salvos store on Brighton Road 

Roasted Chestnuts

Mum always told me about those times
When she ate roasted chestnuts
Back home in Hungary
I'd always wondered how they tasted
As she had sounded so pleased
"There's nothing like them
Ah roasted chestnuts
I adored them in winter time
Glowing upon hot coals
Then warm upon our gloves
Sweet upon out tongues
Ah... hot roasted chestnuts!"
There's nothing like those times
Back in her distant memories...

25th May 2019 

Close to my heart

My little grandson Gabriel
So far away from me
In miles; it's true
You may be...
But here in my heart
My little darling
Yes: here I hold you close
Close to my heart you be!

Happy first birthday
IN pray you are safe and sound
Bringing your mummy such joy

18th May 2019

Photo taken 18th April 2019

In my mother's day

In my mother's day
She lived for her little family
Mum treasured each and every day
Relished her work as cook and carer
Took pride in providing everything
That she possibly could
For her little family...

In Moorook she got up at 5:30 am
Lit that old wood stove
So she could cook
Our favourite breakfast
Creamed rice or semolina
Before we walked to primary school
A couple of miles away
While she and dad left for work

Mum made my dresses by hand
Knitted jumpers by hand
Baked all sorts of cakes for us
Cooked and cleaned for us
That was her joy
Doing everything for us

Raised chickens in the Hen house
From chicks they bought from Felixstowe
Sh killed them and made soup
Of all their bits and pieces
Every part was used
Eggs; we ate raw with a little sugar
Whipped up in a Vegemite glass

She and dad killed the pigs 
Which she turned into sausages
White pudding; all cuts of meat
Lard; tupertu, and aspic
Nothing was wasted
We ate the crunchy tail and ears 
And all the tender morsels
Cooked up just for us

When dad and Uncle Alec Steczina
Caught hundreds of Redfin
Everyone came to share in the catch
Stored in our old tin bath tub
They just had to clean their own
We ate those delicious fish
Dipped in flour and paprika

We planted tomato plants
Acres and acres of them
Backs bent over in our work
All our friends assisting
Both on our property 
And down by the River Murray 
At Mundoo Flats

Apricot cutting in Kingston-on-Murray
Mum was up at 5:30 am again
Making thermos' full of tea
Cutting sandwiches and packing 
Biscuits she had baked herself
Into the baskets for the workers
Cheese and Vegemite
Or Tomato, onion and capsicum
Hot black tea and sugar
These were all enjoyed...

When grandchildren came
She welcomed them
With open arms
Knitted and crocheted for them
Made clothes for them
For the great grandchildren also
They still wear these clothes to this day
Knitting from over 30 years ago
Are still in use today
Much loved and enjoyed

Mum; I miss you
Mum; I admire your strength
You left your family in Hungary
To migrate to this lucky country
At the age of 19
Pregnant and already a mother

Thank you for giving me life! 
I love you! 

12th May 2019 
Mother's Day

63 Years ago today

63 years ago today
Mum and dad got married
In Hungary; they grew up
Lived their early years
Then left their family behind
Travelled across the seven seas
To birth me here
In this lucky country...
Today would have been
Their 63rd anniversary
Bat as mum passed two years ago
Only 61 years they shared
As man and wife
Yes! They shared their life
And I thank them both 
For giving me this very life

Miss you both my darlings

12th May 2019

Invisible thread

An invisible thread
Connects those who are
Destined to meet
Regardless of 
Time, place or circumstance

The thread may stretch or tangle
But will never break

May you be open to each thread
That comes into your life
The golden ones 
And the coarse ones
And may you weave them 
Into a brilliant and beautiful life...

www.InformativeQuotes.com

I am His daughter

I am His daughter
I suffer for His pain
I am changed forever
Because He was slain
He took my sins upon Him
Took away my darkest stains
That I might be forgiven
This is my earnest claim
Through Him am I delivered!
Through His blood I am cleansed
He is my dearest saviour
His love has broken all my chains

20th April 2019

My Easter memories

We didn't have chocolate Easter eggs back in the 1960's
My Aunty Roza made hard boiled eggs coloured with onion skins
In Geelong  at George Koroshazi's place; as a young girl
The traditional blessing with perfume was observed
I didn't like this tradition because I had to give up
The few Easter eggs I did get; to the young men
Who came and sprinkled us with perfume...
we always had Easter egg hunts with my kids
as they were growing up. That was great fun!
The best tradition my family shared was with my dad
He collected plastic coloured "eggs" inside Kinder Surprise chocolates
Filled them with gold coins; every time he went to the Berri Club
He would collect his gold coins so he could fill them up for us
These Easter eggs were our Easter presents from him
God; I miss you my darling!
Wish you were still here celebrating with us this Easter!

20th April 2019

Figs

Bought some delicious figs today
Bought back some memories 
Of our fruit block in Kingston-on-Murray
I used to love being able
To walk out our back door 
And pick any fruit off our trees
Mandarins, walnuts and quinces
Grapes. almonds and plums...
The list goes on...
Miss those days with mum and dad!

20th April 2019

One of the saddest things in life

I think one of the saddest things...
Is when people really get to know each other
Their secrets; their fears; their favourite things
What they love; what they hate; literally everything
And then they go back to being strangers...
It's like you have to walk past them...
And pretend like you never knew them...
Never even talked to them before...
When really; you know everything about them...

Anonymous
25th March 2019

Glorious new day

Glorious new day
Sun rising in the sky
New moon beside
A bright morning star
Colours reflecting
Water so very still
A pleasure to be alive
Seeking God's will

2nd April 2019

Michael's Birthday 2019

Tomorrow is your birthday
Tomorrow is your day
Hope you have a good one
Hope it is all I pray
The first time grandpa held you
You chuckled right out loud
If he could only see you
He would be so very proud
Hope you have the best day ever
Yes! Happy, happy Birthday!

Written 22nd February
For 23rd February 2019