Twas The Day Before Yesterday
TWAS the day before yesterday and all through the branches,
NOT a name to be found, none of my ancestors.
THE Journals and Bibles were dusty and worn,
WHY should we care, these kinfolk are gone.
THE pictures of children and family, long ago dead,
ARE scattered, crinkled, and crammed under beds.
DAD in his chair, and I with a book,
HAD just settled back to give the TV a look.
WHEN out on the street there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
ON the way to the window I tripped with a crash,
I tore open the curtains and looked through the glass
THE sun in the sky was nowhere in sight,
THE clouds were so gray, it could have been night.
WHEN what to my wondering eyes should appear,
THE Mailman with packages, letters and cards of good cheer.
THE driver was grumbling while sorting his letters,
I knew in a moment, things had to get better.
THE size of one letter stood out from them all,
A distant cousin was asking about family, one and all.
THE names of Grandpa and Grandma, Great Grandparents all,
NEXT came my Father, my Brother, and Uncle Paul. FROM cousins and uncles to aunts and nephews,
NIECES and in-laws, just to name a few.
SO through the many journals and photos, and stuff I possessed,
MY search for my ancestors slowly progressed.
WHILE up the family tree I gradually climbed,
MY ancestors names, I was seeking to find.
UPON that tree I have carved many a name,
THE branches of which, will never be the same.
THE tree is now filled with many I’ve found,
BUT in the search for others, now I am bound.
THE ancestors whose names, I have written with love,
THE Lord has gathered to take to His Father above.
WITH so many names yet to be carved on that tree,
I have little time to waste on games and TV.
GATHERING names, photos, histories and places,
REQUIRES a lot of love, patience, and God’s good graces.
SOME were Farmers, Soldiers and such, Mothers and Fathers
who struggled much.
SOME were Settlers, who traveled far, some Adventures,
who followed the stars.
SOME were rich but most were poor, they came by ship,
seeking more.
SOME died young, others old, many their stories yet untold.
I cried when I thought of those brothers and sisters,
FOR I am who I am, thanks to my ancestors.
MY family is but one branch on the Tree of Life,
A tree that grew strong through toil and strife.
ALONE, I’m just a bare twig or a stub,
TOGETHER we build a Family Tree of Love
(Written by Linnie Vanderford Poyneer one night after a long day of research)
Found at https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~familyskeletons/genealogy/Humor/Twas%20The%20Day%20Before%20Yesterday.htm
