I preface this poem with the explanation that Daddy never
pronounce the "r" in Marilyn's name so it came out as
”Mailin". She always thought
that was unique, cute and endearing!
DADDY'S LITTLE GIRL, "MAILIN"
by Colleen Elayne Parent
Crawford
Another was added to the family tree,
Cheerful Marilyn was number three.
Although while carrying her Mother was ill,
Her arrival was no less of a thrill!
She began the line of "Parent Dolls."
Three others came at six-year intervals.
Our brothers all came in-between,
Daddy and Mother were quite a team.
She was "Kitty" in the gang of three,
"Jack" or "Jim" she would rather
be.
But, someone had to await their return,
On that
Marilyn was full of tricks and fun,
She was able to charm everyone!
She and a friend would spout "goose Latin,"
Or as they would say "Goolafoose
Lalafatin"!
She had shiny brown hair and hazel eyes,
And she was pleasing otherwise.
She had a sharp mind and was alert,
And never afraid of a little hard
work.
After High School she searched for work high and low,
She finally found some in
She lived with a kind, Jewish family,
And to their three boys she was "Nanny."
It was there she met her perfect mate,
Byron Peterson is first rate!
He was enlisted in the Air Force,
So they lived many places, of course.
They gained friends wherever they went,
To help each other was their intent.
Marilyn loved friends and family to come
And received them all with a warm welcome!
On holidays when the meal was "took,"
It was time for a game of Rook!!
The enemy was Marilyn fair and Daddy.
Against "Bodacious Byron" and me!
They were blessed with three children
Two daughters and an adopted son,
Who brought great love, fun and laughter
And believed in "Happy Ever After"
Even when Marilyn began to decline
She held on to one life line.
The telephone became her tool,
With encouraging words she was full.
Marilyn had a captivating personality,
She was a source of delight to me.
We talked about all sorts of things,
And I would listen for the phone to ring!!
She had a lot of trouble breathing,
And we knew she would soon be leaving.
"Endure to the end” is what she did,
Even understanding “the Future" was hid.
Marilyn passed at the age of forty-eight,
For the rest of her family, she must wait.
There were many waiting beyond the veil,
Who rejoiced to welcome her there as well.