Very many years ago 

When I was a little girl, 

My skin was as white as snow. 

My straight hair was hard to curl.

Mother took good care of me. 

Father bounced me on his knee. 

I was dressed like a baby doll, 

Covered up with a lacy shawl.

I was their first, their treasured toy. 

They said I brought them lots of joy

But soon my brother came along 

And added to their happy throng.

My aunt lent them her old pram 

To wheel us to meet the tram. 

Father worked so late each day. 

Not his choice; he had no say.

On weekends we walked to the park. 

In summer time we stayed till dark. 

My father pushed us on the swings. 

Mother always guarded our things.

She worried when the sun was hot, 

She’d try to find a shady spot. 

We never stopped to buy a drink, 

Took water from the kitchen sink.

It never dawned to buy ice cream 

Too expensive, something to dream. 

But some days on our return trips 

They’d stop to buy some fish and chips.

My parents did not own a car,

Traveled by train when we went far. 

Gran and Pa lived quite a way. 

That train trip took one whole day.

Both of them were so proud of us, 

Ever so kind and liked to fuss.

At Christmas time we loved to stay, 

Went to the beach on Christmas Day.

Four years passed, I started school,

Skipped kinder, I was no fool. 

I hated the games and silly rhymes. 

Back then, to me, they were boring times.

To show the teacher, I misbehaved.

She gladly advanced me through her grade. 

First grade, I thought looked quite inviting 

I found the teacher was more exciting 

Six more grades at primary school

Was all one needed as a rule. 

Another five and off to college

For teacher training, all that knowledge. 

Father taught me to save my money. 

I often lunched on bread and honey.

I would not say that we were poor 

As I recall those days of yore.

My family gave me lots of love.

They guard me now from up above.

We did not own a lot of treasures, 

The simple things were our main pleasures.