When I was a small girl in Keeler
On Sunday, everyone went to church to pray,
A penny was tied in the corner of my hanky
For my meager offering that day.
In nice weather, we walked on the dirt road
I knew everybody that was there,
All the pews were filled (not like today),
As I sat in front, on a little red chair.
When it snowed, Grandpa got out the sleigh
With his old horse, Nelly, hitched up to go,
We huddled under a blanket, that cold day,
Then put it over Nelly, with some hay.
Life was simple, many years ago
All the people were neighborly and kind,
In the summer, we had a carnival with games,
And a Treasure Hunt, with a prize to find.
At Christmas, most folks didn’t have a tree
We shared one at church, candles worked fine,
Strung popcorn, and paper chains, for trim,
Then kids picked a favorite hymn.
Even Santa Claus dropped by
With hard candy for girls and boys,
Nelly was waiting with a neigh,
It had been a wonderful day.
After bedtime prayers and a warm brick in the bed
I could see my breath in the cold air,
Did I dare to hang up my sock for Santa?
Maybe … I could drape it over a chair.
Morning came, with windows of frost,
I grabbed my clothes, ran to the big, hot stove,
Put on long underwear, with a trap door, too
And donned a petticoat of blue.
Of course, there was a garter belt
Each leg had two partners
For long, brown socks (not new)
Until outgrown, they had to do.
I could smell the oatmeal calling to me
First I peeked at my sock, was that a bulge I SEE?
In the toe was a walnut and a clothespin doll!
It was my happiest Christmas ever, how lucky could I be?
Yes, there really was a Santa Claus for me!
