Here are two poems written by my Great Aunt Christine who passed away a few months ago. This would be my dad’s , dad’s, sister. The first poem is written about her family. When you read about her daddy’s prayer alter. We actually hiked down and visited this place when we went to South Carolina years ago. My dad made Brian and I a “reminder to pray together as a married couple” using a piece of stump that he proposed to my mom with one of Grandpa Holladay’s prayer rocks! Very special!
Then she writes a poem about Papa (Roddie) my grandpa who passed when I was about three years old. Although, I do remember him! This was my dad’s dad.
MY FAMILY
(THIS WAS WRITTEN 12 YEARS AGO)
I was born into my family some 80 years ago,
There were many things many people didn’t know.
But many old timers believed the Holy Book
And trained their children right, whatever it took.
We were carried to the church
And taught to love the preachers.
We also reverenced God’s house
And respected our teachers.
Only eight of us lived to go to school
But to get an education was one of dad’s rules.
We worked hard on the farm to help our mom and dad
And for this, we all are very glad.
Mother was a humble quiet type
Who listen more than talk.
Her life wasn’t only judged by her speech
But by her daily walk.
I guess you might call her an old fashioned mother.
She did not pretend to be smart
But to care for her home and dear ones
Was the wish that was first in her heart.
She believed in the old fashioned Bible
She believed in old fashioned prayer.
By her life we knew that Jesus would hear us,
If we’d pray, anytime, anywhere.
They worked hard together to have a happy home,
One that would be a treasure
To all those who might enter
To them it was a pleasure.
Our daddy had an altar
Where he went daily to pray.
A rock was placed upon it to show his faith in God
For the things he had to say.
We will never know the good
That has come to each of us today
For all the prayers and tears
That was made where daddy went to pray.
On the holidays dad always planned ahead.
We would have a get-together at the homestead.
Most of the time our pastor’s family came to eat lunch
And we all enjoyed it very much.
But now as we are growing old
And some have already gone,
I see the things we were told
Were words of wisdom and good as gold.
I thank God for an old fashioned dad and mother,
For the Bible and old fashioned prayer,
For the old fashioned faith that is looking
For our Lord to appear in the air.
Oh! I know we are not perfect
But we are striving on happily,
Knowing that some day in the future
We shall be in a perfect family.
God is still working on you and me,
We’re in different stages don’t you see.
We are vessels in His hands,
So don’t give up, he has a plan.
I thank God for each one
And what they mean to me
Each one is so different
But are a very specialty.
So may each one remember
When you do wrong and fall,
God is not so far away
That He can’t hear your call.
He’s always standing near to guide you
Whenever you need His help.
So always please remember
It’s by His power we are kept.
A simple prayer is what He hears
One like a child would pray.
I hope you remember this
And close by His side will stay.
Love to all my family, Christine
　RODDIE COLUMBUS HOLLADAY
We miss him much as time goes by But look what he has gained. A beautiful home, eternal life, Where he shall always remain.
We miss him much as time goes by But look what he has gained. A beautiful home, eternal life, Where he shall always remain.
Did you get copies of those poems? Can you e-mail them too me if you did? I want to also put the one of papa in Matthew baby book since he shares the same name. You had to be older than 3 when papa died since I remember him if you were only 3 I would have been 1! (I don't think that is possible). I remember him telling me to call Mama…granny. LOL