My grandma's old cookbook is aged and forlorn.
The pages are grease stained, each faded and worn.
The spine is collapsed and the cover's askew,
revealing, in no way, what this book could do.

A barrel of cookies, sweet, fresh lemonade,
roasts, casseroles, salads this ancient book made.
It brought love and caring to both young and old,
delivering happiness not bought or sold.



Its owner and user breathed life to this book,
by sharing herself with each recipe cooked.
True gifts from her heart were delivered with love,
presented on earth for her Father above.

Her gentle, sweet kindness was blended with care.
A silent reminder that she had been there
to welcome your newborn...to ease every ill...
true unselfish gestures of love and goodwill.

So don't be deceived by the physical book,
but rather... rejoice in the wonderful cook.
Just cherish and honor each frayed, weathered page,
for pure, loving kindness has brought forth its age.

By Jane- Ann Heitmueller