Two Friends

McKinley Street House 1982
McKinley Street House 1982

My dad was a carpenter and built our house in a “brand new neighborhood” in Northeast Minneapolis in 1953, the year I was born. Everyone in the neighborhood was new to the area and many lifelong friendships were formed. My mother and Diane’s mother (my recycle birthday card friend) was one of them.  I wrote this poem when Darlene died in 2013. My mom died in 2009.

Two Friends

Back in the Fifties

When life was pretty good

In Northeast Minneapolis

Up sprang a new neighborhood.

 

Children gathered daily

Going outside to play

Fathers off to work

Moms at home to stay.

 

Friendships were forming

Because everyone was new

Some lasting fifty years or more

Wow – who knew???

 

Two special families

Lived across the street

Two special women

Destined to meet.

 

Raising up  their children

Having driveway coffee breaks

Always checking on each other

Vacationing to many lakes.

 

Their daughters grew up

Becoming lasting friends

Sharing McKinley Street stories

No more playing pretend.

 

Marriages, then grand-kids

Time kept marching on

But playing Bridge and having lunch

Kept their friendship strong.

 

Four years ago God took the first

And now He’s taken the other

But memories will linger on

Loving memories of our mothers.

September 2013

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