This poem is by my Great-Grandmother.

I'd Rather Be Tired Than Lonely

A few years ago when my children

were small and I had so much to do

I'd often wonder at the close of the day

if my work would ever be through.

There was washing and ironing and mending

and work of every kind,

till sometimes I grew tired and weary

both in body and mind.

There were little hands and faces to be washed,

little hungry mouths to be fed,

and a thousand other dutieskept me busy

till it was time to go to bed.

Sometimes my footsteps were heavy

and I wished that I might slip away

and rest my weary self

for just a single day.

Now the years have passed so quickly

and my little ones have grown.

not a single one is with me

all have families of their own.

Now my house is quiet and empty,

it seems it can't be true,

for there is plenty of time for resting,

and there's not much work to do.

But gladly would I toil again

from morning until night,

I'd rather be tired than lonely

with never a child in sight.

Copyright Š1993 Mrs. Betty Hensiek

Š 1997 daffodil77@hotmail.com