Jon: On Ode to Bette

Bette Hair – someone I considered to be a sort of grandmother – ran the in-home daycare I attended. When Bette retired, Daddy wrote a poem to celebrate the wonderful, loving person she was.

How lucky our lives have been blessed
For we know that Bette’s the best
She cared for each child
And never got riled
Her skills left us all quite impressed

For Bette the kids were such joys
She lavished them with tons of toys
The trucks, trikes and walkers
The books, games and markers
For all of the girls and the boys

Each morning was like a pre-school
With afternoons spent in the pool
Such fun every day
The kids wanted to stay
The parents had found quite a jewel

The kids would do art in their smocks
And Bette styled every girl’s locks
Moms tried not to freak
At the end of each week
Cause they never found all of the socks

“Now kids – try to eat all your peas”
“Remember your thanks and your please”
She ran a tight ship
There was never a slip
But always a kiss and a squeeze

With twelve birthday parties each year
The parents could never show fear
The opening of gifts
Gave our spirits great lifts
And the squealing would ring in each ear

Kids always were singing a song
And learning to tell right from wrong
They practiced respect
And their manners were checked
The values you taught were so strong

Your advice stays with us to this day
Each afternoon we’d want to stay
To sit and to chat
“Do this – don’t do that”
We all had to learn “Bette’s Way”

And so, Bette, you’re like no other
But there’s something else we’d like to cover
Though you may move far
Don’t forget who you are
Our kids’ extra favorite Grandmother

Your move to the beach may be bold
You’ll make new friends and keep the old
We’re happy to share
Cause you’re someone so rare
To all of us you are pure gold