REMARKABLE REED

by Colleen Elayne Parent Crawford

The youngest son Heavenly Father sent

Was a handsome lad they named Reed Brent.

He was husky, blonde and had blue eyes.

It was hard for Daddy not to idolize!

He was three years older than me

And close friends we soon came to be.

I walked three paces when we went to school,

but I didn't mind since he was so cool!

At nine he was hit by entrepreneurial spirit

And thought selling newspapers would answer it.

So early Saturday morning we went to town

A cute, little, blonde girl sold more we found!

He made many friends all through his life,

And I tagged along much to his strife.

They often paid me to go "Get Lost",

But that's why I did it, good things cost!

A special teacher to him took a "like",

And he often went with them for a hike.

They also took me from time to time,

From them I learned to love a good climb!

Reed was very athletic and loved to play

Down on the beach on a fine Saturday.

We often went to the river for a swim,

Crossing to the far shore didn't bother him.

Remarkable Reed was such a joy.

Everyone loved the sweet little boy!

As he grew, he could still charm,

It was hard to see him come to harm!

Daddy had a hatred for guns,

And forbid any of us to have one.

Reed disobeyed and had one sent to a friend,

His heartache over that was never to end.

An accident happened by and by,

And a BB put out his beautiful eye!!

The pressure proved a constant fight,

Consequently, he never regained his sight!

When High School Graduation came around

By hepatitis he was sick and held homebound.

But the next year he attended college

To gain experience and more knowledge.

Next summer he worked in the cleaner’s vat

And Reed’s terrible downfall came from that.

Then came a relapse of foul hepatitis

And in the end, he had to leave us!

At least half of the town came to the service.

The way he was loved we expected no less.

We believe he is now serving a heavenly mission

With DeWayne as companion, under Dad's supervision.

and

LITTLE BROTHER

by Colleen Elayne Parent Crawford

The youngest boy was Reed Brent,
For nineteen years he was lent.
He was the "apple" of Daddy's eye,
If you saw him, you'd know why!

He was handsome and well-built
With eyes of blue and hair of gilt.
He liked adventure and acts of "dare"
And no lack of mischief was there!

He was one of the first to know of me,
When I arrived he was only three!
He was my protector, confidant and friend.
My love for him will never end!

When nine children had gone before,
Dad and Mom knew what lay in store.
When we were composing our questions
They already knew of our intentions.

When growing up, Reed was loved by all.
He had a penchant for the small.
Children loved to see him come their way.
They knew it was time to laugh and play!

As a Freshman I was surprised to find
Reed's locker was located right above mine.
Around it he and a good friend would wait
Until I arrived at my first class late.

Dad had forbidden us to have guns,
But to Reed they looked like fun.
He found a way a BB gun to buy,
But the cost to him was an eye!

He went with friends on vacation
So missed his 8th grade graduation.
He also missed the other at age 18;
Hepatitis kept him in quarantine,

He recovered and was able to choose
To attend the College of the Siskiyous.
He shared with me all his pranks,
Even the label of the first beer he drank!

That summer he had a relapse.
His health just seemed to collapse.
Within three days he did die.
When I think of it, I still cry.