Family History

Cardboard covered the holes in his shoes No money but he knew the rent was due His wife had just given birth She should be the happiest woman on earth So he would do whatever he had to do. To the pawnbroker he sold his fathers gold watch chain He bought food for his family and left the little money that remained He's heard of jobs being given but they are seventy miles away He hopes to make it there inside two days . Through driving snow and sleet he arrives with No feeling in his feet at the factory where new men are being hired . He works two shifts each day back to back Sleeping a couple of hours in an old deserted shack He keeps that up all week So tired he can barely speak but at last he has some money to send home . His beautiful wife feeds the baby in her arms As the postman knocks she closes her dress to hide her charms Tears stream down her cheeks as she reads the note The first love letter my grandfather ever wrote. She paid the rent and bills The larder once more filled Now instead of despair , She had hope. Mountains can be moved by faith and hope Now in the months to come somehow my grandparents cope Though seventy miles apart She feels the beat of my grandfathers heart and her new daughter will bear the name of hope. Hope was my mothers name She told this story with no shame Proud of everything her parents had done Just as she told me I share my families history Telling you has just been so much fun.