Maxine's Birthday
                           © 17 October 2003



This is the birthday of the beautiful Maxine N.

Her warrior returned from the "just war" They married, planted 5 red oak trees on Joyce Way in Dallas, created two wonderful children and were good people.

They showed me the red oaks three years ago.

I wonder if tomorrow afternoon she will play Mah Jong with the girls.

Last night in researching the poem "All the Dead Soldiers" -- the first page that popped up was a personal site created in celebration of a man who did not return. It is published by his son who never knew him and today still longs to.

I am grateful that as a child I knew my parents and all my aunts and uncles and today especially my cousins. Those who knew us as children are our lights in the window showing the way home -- as are we for our children and nieces and nephews. ~~ W Lorraine Watkins ~~ ©17 October 2003.