Janet’s Bit

An October Shawl

October arrives
With loosening leaves
And collar turning chill.

This year is
Your eightieth autumn
An amazing season
In your story- rich life
Lived and still living.

Stories

Of a childhood
Before us
Of an
Adulthood,
Motherhood,
Widowhood
With us.

You have been
In the foreground
And background
Of so many
Of our stories.
Even yet
It is your home
I come home to
Some 29 years
Since leaving!

So on this special day
Of this extraordinary year
As the trees shed their golden coats
I wrap myself up in
The close knit shawl
Of our family and
Count myself blessed
With you still close
And Dad still watching,
Proud and smiling
At how far
we have all travelled.

JMcD October 2010