Poems (Barker)/To Grandma on her 79th Birthday
On Her 79th Birthday.
Your lamp of lite the Master's hand is holding Long Years ago He measured out the oil;Close to His own, your tired heart He is folding Soon to reward you for the pain and toil.
We wait beside your bed, oh patient spirit To learn the lesson from your suffering heart,Before the Master calls you to inherit The glory which for you is set apart.
Seventy and nine, the years have circled 'round you Since first the toilsome journey was begun,And always at your place has duty found you, "Though oftentimes the shadow hid the sun.
And we, who know you, marvel at the story Of all these years of pain and suffering,Our wonder changed to rapture, at the glory, The recompense from our dear Lord, the King.
The door-way of His Palace, to our vision Standing ajar, gives glimpses fair and bright.Of the glad beauty of that "Land Elysian," The morning to your long, long weary night.
But when the gates swing back, in that glad season, And Heaven echoes with its rapturous song,Ob! patient Grandma you will know the reason, The dear Lord thought it best to wait so long.