Hope Chest

This once was an empty hope chest, All my wishes it was waiting to hold, Now it keeps the things I love best, As my life begins to unfold. A hope chest holds things from the past, It locks away secrets of when we wept, And poems written to make memories last, In my Mom's diary of thoughts she kept. A porcelain doll, of which I was very fond, My Grandma made her, with care and grace, She had long hair, curly, blonde, And a blue dress trimmed in white lace. My hope chest holds everything I love, Like old photographs that are looking worn, And the wishes that I've dreamt of, Ever since the day I was born. My hope chest may hold new things, Like a Valentine my first love sent me, Maybe, eventually an engagement ring, And the rose that won him my heart's key. If there is a newborn on the way, My hope chest will hold many things, Like maybe, a baby blanket, someday, A reminder of what life can bring.