Grand Haven Daily Tribune December 11, 1903
Helping Mother.
(By David Fletcher Hunton.)
—
Daughter, have you lately noticed
How your mother’s growing old?
That upon her careworn features,
There are wrinkles, fold on fold?
Have you seen her stooping shoulders,
And how feeble she has grown?
That her eyes have lost their luster,
And her voice its mellow tone?
Mother once was tall and stately,
Like yourself, my dear, today;
Now, she bends beneath her burdens,
And is looking old, and gray!
Once, her hair was deepest auburn,
Thickly mixed with threads of gold;
Now, we see it thin, and faded,
Showing she is growing old!
Oh, how many times in sickness,
She has watched your every breath;
And by tender care and nursing,
Saved you from the jaws of death!
And how many times in childhood,
When you was a little Miss,
Mother calmed and soothed your troubles,
By the magic of her kiss!
Now you see that she is failing—
Must she do the work alone?
If she does not have assistance,
Death will claim her for its own!
Oh! my Daughter! What would home be,
Without mother’s kindly care?
What would we do, were she sleeping
‘Neath the daisies, over there?
Don’t you think that all her kindness,
All her watchings, prayers and tears;
Should be drawing simple interest
During all your eighteen years?
Do not think that I am blaming
You, because she is growing old and gray;
But I think it is your duty,
Now to help her every day.
How? By helping do the housework,
So that she may get some rest
Ere those patient hands are folded
On that mother’s lifeless breast!
Get up early in the morning,
At the first approach of day;
And get breakfast for your mother—
What do you suppose she’d say?
When she finds the meal is ready,
Watch the twinkle in her eyes!
See her look at you with wonder,
And embrace you in surprise!
Don’t you think that face would brighten,
And those wrinkles disappear?
Don’t you think she would look younger,
Ere the end of one short year?
Oh, my darling! How I THANK YOU,
For your promise made this day!
It will lift so many burdens,
From that mother’s toilsome way!
Go now, daughter, to your mother,
And unfold this new-made plan;
It will cheer her drooping spirits,
And make me a happier man!
Grand Haven, Mich.
December 1st, 1903.