Her mother gave her the name Aldine Grace.
But that was a name that she really did hate.
Most everyone knew her by a different name.
To them she was ‘Toot’ and that was okay.
She was my grandmother, my mother’s mom.
She was known by just about everyone.
She sold strawberries and owned a skating rink.
People loved and respected her, I would think.
When I was born we lived in her home.
My mom had to work, but I wasn’t left alone.
Grandma was there to look after my needs.
She did a good job, I must say indeed.
My brother came along and my sister too.
With three of us Grandma had lots to do.
Mom was there at night, Grandma all day.
Mom remarried and was going to move away.
She gave us the choice we could stay or go.
We didn’t want to leave our friends though.
We stayed with Grandma throughout the years.
And said goodbye to Mom amid all the tears.
Eventually we married and all left home.
And Grandma Toot was left there all alone.
She was sick for a while but no one knew.
When we found out we didn’t know what to do.
She was in and out of the hospital a couple years.
It was hard to watch her; we cried many tears.
Finally I think that she had had enough.
She went through a lot; she always was tough.
The last night I saw her I went home and prayed.
I think she was ready for God to take her away.
It’s hard to believe, but it’s been twenty years.
Sometimes I think about her and still shed some tears.
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