This page is dedicated to my grandmother 

 Lillie Opal Musgrove Stansberry

1912 -- 2006

She was and will forever be my true inspiration. She wrote poetry and I will post her work here for you to read. Some day when I have gathered as much of it as the rest of the family will share with me I will have a book published with just her work. In honor of her and to forever keep her work alive and an inspiration to others.

She was the kindest, sweetest, most generous person I have ever met -- she suffered mightly in this world, but her faith and her deep love for all those around her sustained her, like I've never seen in another. I only hope I come close to her strength, her patience and her loving compassion, even for the people who hurt her the most!

This is the last poem she sent me: March 8, 2006. On March 15, 2006 she was gone.

   What will we do?

On a sunny day in May

A little one came to stay

A joy to behold.

No one said "What will we do with it?"

A happy day it was

When twins came to stay.

Bouncy and noisy as all boys are

No one said "What will we do with them?"

Mom grew old and gray

And feeble on her way.

When a message arrived from across the bay

Saying. "What will we do with Mother?"

                             Lillie Opal Stansberry

                  Loneliness

When the stars have lost their twinkle

   And the sun just won't shine through.

The cloud filled skies, my darling,

   That's loneliness, dear one, that's loneliness.

When laughter breaks to a sigh

   And the sparkle leaves the eye.

When the voice is only an echo.

   That's loneliness, dear one, that's loneliness.

When memory fails to listen

   And love is in the past.

The heart just keeps on saying,

   That's loneliness, dear one, that's loneliness.

                     Lillie Opal Musgrove

             Memories

I looked on love as a thing of wonder,

   Back in the days gone by.

I knew the stars away out yonder

   Shown only for you and I.

I walked the paths all lovers trod.

   Always uphill, cheerful, and gay.

Midst bees and birds and goldenrod,

   Seeing you always just over the way.

I prayed the prayers all lovers pray.

   To keep us safe till we are one.

When forever would be just like a day

   After this love we both have won.

I dreamed the dreams all lover's dream

   Of love as true as the stars above.

But love, like the waters of the smallest stream

   Can disappear neath the clouds of life.

                          Lillie Opal Musgrove