Nieces, Nieces

When I was in 3rd grade, I had an assignment from Mrs. Jost to write a poem. What I came up was a diatribe about nieces -- specifically Denice, Leanne (Tom's daughter), and Clydene (Whitey). Mary would occasionally tend these 3 little scamps and they inevitably would rummage through my bedroom and belongings. When I came home from school to find the mess (which I was usually encouraged to clean up if I didn't want them playing with it) I would mumble and groan!

Nieces – Nieces

Some forty years ago, when I was all of ten,
An assignment was given to me to write a poem.
I remember thinking to myself; I know nothing about prose –
But I made a wild stab at it, and this is how it goes.

Nieces, Nieces; I hate them to pieces!
They get into my room, and scatter all my stuff –
They ruin what is mine – and I become so gruff!
I yell at them and I stomp about
My Mom just tries to calm me.
She reminds me that they’re little and will be going home soon.
HOORAY! I say – Make them clean up my room!

Now I say . . . Nieces, Nieces; I LOVE them to pieces!
They’ve become my best friends.
We’ve complained to each other, we gossip, we share.
Without them, I never would’ve had the experience of growing up
With opportunities to baby-sit, catfight, and most of all ---
APPRECIATE!

When I moved in with Nadine's family, Janette & Cheryl became my friends, as well as my nieces. We shared secrets about boys, hi-jinx and mayhem! We ate, worked and slept together and all 5 of us girls shared ONE BATHROOM! It involved intense planning and shifts as to when a bath/shower was taken and who shared the mirror at the same time! But I look back on this experience and am so thankful for the opportunity to grow up and grow old with these girls.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, to my Wonderful Nieces.