My Hand me Downs

Let me hand you down
A cheerful smile,
A heart that’s patched with gratitude;
Let me hand you down
My map of life,
That led to upbeat attitude,
That worked around the sadnesses,
The fears, and the madnesses,
That bade me stop at every stream
That filled my heart with gladness,
Where ran the sparkling ripples
of friendship, of family;

Let me hand you down
Vintage kindnesses,
That are never out of date;
I dust them off daily,
Add to them gaily,
And count them as my surest path
Past fear and melancholy;
Let me hand you down
A child-like faith,
Hopeful, trusting
That we are safe,
Cradled in God’s love;
These precious gifts I pass to you,
I hope you’ll wear for me;
Cherish them,
Then, pass them on,
Fruit of our family tree.
Edie Batstone