Sunday, June 12, 2011

Precious was her Rock with that Tissue in her Pock

by granddaughter Kyla Dowis McClain "with a little help" from Connie Dowis
In memory of Wilma Allee
As read by Kyla (Dowis) McClain at the Celebration of Life for Wilma Allee on Sunday, June 12th.

Back n' forth she rocked,
Crickity Crack, Crickity Crock
Back n' forth she'd rock.
She held it in her hand like precious cloth,
as she rocked,
Crickity Crack, Crickity Crock

Wrinkled and crinkled, tattered and torn,
Folded and wadded, she held then so worn,
Stuffed in each pocket she had ever adorned.

Tears and fears, joys and pains,
Thoughts of each of you,
Another memory she'd gained.
Crinkled and wrinkled, tattered and torn,
Precious were her thoughts in a tissue tucked away
Full of her love, just for you.

Not sure if tissues were around back then,
maybe a hankie or two for the Kobbe den.
'cause 15 sibs filled many a crib.
In the middle...more ways than one,
We've heard the stories of the Kobbe fun.

Special treats in the mail,
She'd be waiting on from you,
And a tissue labeled Texas
would bring memories on cue.

Francie, I hate those words she'd say,
As the time came for you to leave her each day.
She so treasured time with you,
Was what she looked forward to each day anew
With a tissue tucked in her pocket just for you.

And like the book, I'll Love You Forever,
my baby you'll be.
We rocked and talked and never quite found the key,
finally coming full circle with me, was plain to see
I'll love you forever, my baby you'll be.

She waited and worried 'till you came home,
Cussing Chicago traffic until you were home...
Just a few steps from her door
to the son she did so adore.
With a tissue tucked in her pocket all tattered and torn.

Roll them apples, clean that tack
Let me get my coffee and I'll be right back.
And though we might sometimes disagree,
With our love for him, we didn't need a referee.

We'll start with the old and go to the new,
With each grandchild she held a tissue,
With her thoughts so precious of you.
Back and forth she's rock,
Crickity crack, crickity crock

Keeping her updated with news of the day,
And what about the Cardinals would he bring her today?
He's coming right over to take you to eat,
A special pork tenderloin that can't be beat.
Or some food from Karen really made her day.
Rob's Karen's a dandy she's often say.
Oh, a visit from Rob she's cherish MOST days.

Like a kid at Christmas she would be waiting,
'Till ConCon would rescue her
to someplace she's rather be.
Down at Francie's or that porch with you and me.
The noodles she tried to pass down were the best,
And ConCon's could nearly pass the test.
I wished you didn't have to go,
be sure to let me know, 'cause I'll worry 'til I know.
With my tissue in my pocket,
rocking to and fro.

Phone calls full of love would always brighten her day.
She longed for them...since...you went away...
And she loved the green carpet Alex did lay,
even when it was past its heyday.
The trip to the wedding she thought was too long,
But the look on Penni's face told her,
that was where...she belonged.
Several tissues tucked in her pocket, for you each day.

Tucked in a tissue were her memories of you.
As you cleaned her white Chevy,
I'm sure you found one or two.

Crickity crack, crickity crock,
She sure did rock!
Crinkled and wrinkled,
Tattered and torn.

A tissue for toboggans and one for a squirrel,
it was Kirb's laughter she loved to hear more,
As he played cards with Jake,
Just inside Unc's door.

Hal, you remember the waitress that brought her the pie?
Was it meanness or mischief you saw in her eye?
If you promise not to gag at the poor,
or give Hal multiple choices of canned soup,
She'd join in the laughter and "get stuck" with the group.
Laughing at Sharon always gave her a hoot!

Living at the track or in Sheridan at her home,
She loved having Christina wherever she roamed.
Her house could always be your home.
A tissue in her pocket she held when blue.
And opened to hear that special laugh,
that came only from you.

Winter, spring, summer, or fall,
When the weather was bad, it was her Kiky she'd call.
"Send Bob in the blazer.
He'll make sure I don't fall."
All of those tissues in her pocket
would pad anyone's fall, after all!

Roy boy, Roy boy, what can we say,
You were in her toughts each and every day.
It's time to do the trading...Let's go!
She loved your company...so.
The mornings would bring the horses neigh,
Time to feed and water,
Son, on that pallet you must stay!

You better not hurt anyone of these,
Or she'd plant her foot,
where you didn't want it to be.
They all called her greats,
And it was plain to see
She loved them each one,
As much as could be...
As she caressed their tissues
She's hear them chant Allee! Allee!

Back and borth she rocked,
Crickety crack, crickety crock,
Back and forth she'd rock.
Wrinkled and crinkled,
Tattered and torn,
All of her love kept her ever so warm.

Our lasting thoughts of Gram and Granddad,
As we knew and remembered them.
He with his cane and her with a broom,
they'd sometimes go round and round the room...
When disagreements were abound,
he went to his garden until the next round.
But always the importance of fam--ly,
they did pass down to the descendants of Allee.

Crickety crack, crickety crock,
Pull out a tissue as you start to rock.
Don't hold back,
Let the memories flow
Crickety crack, crickety crock.

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