THE SUNNYSIDE

A VERSE BOOK
By
MaryEllen Cooley
Hatch, N.M.

As the years go by and I older grow

I become more feeble, more fragile and slow But I am more happy, more patient and content. To keep on the Sunnyside is truly my intent.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART

FOR SPECIAL DAYS

TRIBUTES TO MEN

TO FAVORITE FRIENDS

FOR DEVOTION

It is with great pleasure that we have been able to re- print this book in which ALL the proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.

2007 Editor's Note

Everyone suffers hardships at some point or another in their lives. It is simply part of being human. But being human also has wonderful celebrations. My Grandmother, or Grandmama, as we would call her, had a tradition of presenting a poem to all the girls she knew who graduated high-school each year. That poem you will find in the pages that follow.

Knowing her tradition, when I reached adulthood I tried to carry on that tradition with a few modifications. Primarily I expanded the recipients of the poem to any graduate I knew, High School or Col- lege. I have found that giving her poem has brought me great joy and has been well received by all. As time progressed, I looked to her book The Sunnyside, as sources of gifts to people on multiple occasions. Again, I have seen it well received. Therefore, an op- portunity to reprint her book was an easy decision.

The opportunity arose this year as I reflected on options for fundrais- ing and charities I would like to support during my year as Worthy Matron of Melrose Chapter #920, Order of the Eastern Star in Hous- ton, Texas.

During conversations with family members, I received nothing but support knowing that several members of the family have suffered from one type of cancer or another through the generations. I recall one person stating "I think she would be very happy" with my plans.

Thank you for your support in these fundraising endeavors. More importantly, I hope that this book will help you with your own reflections, provide comfort in your sorrows, and find words to describe your joys.

I want to especially thank the following for their support in this endeavor:

All the family of Grandmama

Hot Springs Chapter #58, Order of the Eastern Star, New Mexico Melrose Chapter #920, Order of the Easter Star, Texas

I also want to take a moment and thank LaRena Cooley Miller

(Mom) and Aunt Betty for checking my happy fingers.

Debra Sue Miller

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The poems in this book are some of the many writings jotted down during the lifetime of a remarkable woman. MaryEllen Osborne Cooley, who lived a life with much pain, overcame that handicap by encouraging and helping others.

She was born in 1908 into a farming family living on leased land in rural Missouri. As a child she was involved in an accident in a buggy, and during the flu epidemic of 1918 she nearly died from the flu. Both of these problems were often suggested as a reason for her lifetime illness.

When MaryEllen was a teenager the family was offered a family farm in Kansas that had been homesteaded by an uncle of her father, and the family moved there. By that time she had become crippled and unable to attend school. After some time in a hospital and bedridden at home, she improved and was able to use crutches. With a lot of deter- mination she managed to attend and finish high school.

She longed to go to college, but her physical handicap prevented that. Her time was spent in extensive reading and working with her hands in such activities as embroidery and quilt-making. Although doctors told her that she should never marry, she fell in love with a neighbor boy and married him. Later, although the doctor said she should never have a baby, she had both a son and a daughter.

As her pain and illness progressed, MaryEllen, her hus- band Bill Cooley and their children moved to New Mexico for her health. She did improve in that environment and lived to be nearly seventy-five years old before her death in New Mexico in 1983, some years after her husband's death. She had lived to know three grandsons and two granddaughters.

Much of her adult life Mary Ellen spent in encouraging oth- ers. Instead of complaining about her infirmities, she encouraged her friends to be thankful for their blessings and be positive about what comes in life. Much of this spirit comes through in her poems.

Betty Osborne Young

(Sister of Author)

PREFACE

This book is a sample of some of the verse I have written all during the years. Very often I write when my heart is light But sometimes I write through tears. Some poems are the pleasant memories That helped pass a lonely day, And some I could not write Until I knelt to pray.

If you like any rhyme you see in this book,

If one of them made you less blue,

I will feel repaid for the effort I've made Knowing I've been a blessing to you. As I share some of my thoughts with others, I give of myself and my time.

I give the best gift I know how to give

Carefully wrapped up in a rhyme.

Acknowledgements

My sincere gratitude to those who have given me counsel and encouragement - my sister Betty, my dear friend Mary Knox; also, Mrs. Anne Ellis, Mr. Allen, and the many others who found my poems to be helpful.

This book is affectionately Dedicated to the memory of My parents, Perry and Irene Osborne, whose influence Motivates me still.

MaryEllen Cooley