80th Birthday

[Andy Cheever]

I am giving a speech at my Mother-in-Law's 80th Birthday dinner. Does anyone know of a poem that celebrates an old woman who, for all her life, has done everything to help her family, friends other people, charities, organisations etc etc.
Many thanks.

AC

[miss skippy]

A nicer person I could not have found.
If I had searched the seas.
But you dear friend I came upon
and you helped me with all my needs
Each day you are always in my thoughts
now we are miles apart
your kind thoughts for me dear friend
stay deep within my heart.
We have shared each others troubles and
together had lots of fun
you are such a wonderful friend
a blessing rolled into one.
You were there to help me
when things seemed to go wrong
and when I had been feeling weak
You helped to make me strong.
You have a way of bringing gladness
everywhere you go
That's why your'e just the kind of friend
Who's wonderful to know.
May the Lord god bless and guide you
In everything you do
and thank you for your friendship,
Dear friend, a friend so true.


Something like that andyou could change a few words perhaps.

[lajohn]

When an old lady died in the geriatric ward of a small hospital near Dundee, Scotland, it was wrongly assumed that she had nothing left of any value.
But later, when the nurses were going through her meagre possessions, they found this poem.
Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.

What do you see, nurses, what do you see?
What are you thinking when you're looking at me?
A crabby old woman, not very wise,
Uncertain of habit, with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles her food and makes no reply
When you say in a loud voice, "I do wish you'd try!"
Who seems not to notice the things that you do, and
Forever is losing a stocking or shoe.....
Who, resisting or not, lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill....
Is that what you're thinking?
Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse; you're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am as I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of ten ....with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters, who love one another.
A young girl of sixteen, with wings on her feet,
Dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet.

con't.

[lajohn]

A bride soon at twenty -- my heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows that I promised to keep.
At twenty-five now, I have young of my own,
Who need me to guide and a secure happy home.
A woman of thirty, my young now grown fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last.
At forty, my young sons have grown and are gone,
But my man's beside me to see I don't mourn.
At fifty once more, babies play round my knee,
Again we know children, my loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead;
I look at the future, I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing young of their own,
And I think of the years and the love that I've known.
I'm now an old woman ...and nature is cruel;
'Tis jest to make old age look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles, grace and vigour depart,
There is now a stone where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells,
And now and again, my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys, I remember the pain,
And I'm loving and living life over again.
I think of the years ....all too few, gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people, open and see,
Not a crabby old woman; look closer ...see ME!!

[boogieboogie]

Lajohn that's beautiful and tragic at the same time.Touching.

Andy if you can't find anything appropriate there are people/writers who will write a personalised poem for you.
http://www.commissionapoem.com
There will be writers in your area/yellow pages too.

[Andy Cheever]

Many thanks one and all. I think I've got all I need now to start writing. Cheers.

AC