It’s fun to listen to the music of my parents it brings back good memories soon we will all be together again then we can start a new. love you both.  You can then dance forever . Sandra

i carry your heart with me
(i carry it in my heart)
i am never without it
(anywhere i go you go, my dear; and 
whatever is done by only me is your
doing, my darling)
 i fear no fate
(for you are my fate, my sweet)
i want no world
(for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has
always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is
you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud
of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called
life; which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can
hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the 
stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

by e.e. cummings  (in his written form)

This a true favorite poem of mine. No explanation is needed why I love it. Only that it touches the heart and mind and transports thoughts into something grander,  a love of one soul for another. 
I love you grampa... i carry your heart... ... Melody


 

Summertime family gatherings were similar to a Norman Rockwell painting. 'The women' would prepare their picnic contribution the day before the gathering. There were the traditional 'fixings' of fried chicken home made potato salad and Mable's scrumptious chocolate cake. Only the best recipes were prepared as ones reputation rested on how well the dish turned out. Everyone dressed in their prettiest, most handsome summer attire for that inevitable first visual inspection.

The picnic location was always chosen for it's proximity to a large lake with shade trees and perhaps a picnic table or two for the smorgasbord, hopefully, away from the ants.

Upon arrival, after all the kisses, hugs and handshakes -'the men' would quickly unpack the cars laden with food, blankets to picnic on, a change of clothing for everyone, especially play clothes for the children, toys, diapers, fishing gear, perhaps a folding chair or two for grandpa and grandma, maybe a croquet set, balls and gloves to play catch and even horse shoes.

While 'the women' set up the picnic (everyone was starved)... 'the men' would gather for a smoke, tell "Ole and Lena" jokes and turn the car radio on to catch the latest score of their favorite baseball team. At the call of "dinner" everyone crowded together looking over the 'spread' of foods before them, getting in line to have a taste of all the various dishes. Settling down to eat and enjoy the shade trees, everyone talked and laughed. Comments about how delicious the food was, made the hard work worth while, then chatter eventually turned to quieter voices. The men "rested their eyes" for a few and the women had a little slow down time to catch up on things. While the kids explored and played together.

In the late afternoon we'd pack up, say our goodbyes with hugs and kisses, and drive to our respective homes. The kids were tired, dirty and sticky after eating and playing in the hot sun all day. They would either sleep or cry all the way home. 'The women' caught up in thought, would remember that pretty outfit someone else had worn, or the recipe that caught "everyones" attention, or the latest "story," aka gossip! 

'The men' reflected on the fish they almost caught, that off color joke that hopefully Mable didn't hear and the play that won the ball game for "their favorite team." It all came down to a beautiful, memorable summer day!