“Yes! Yes! Little one.

I know.

There is always so many chores!

Yes, we must sweep the porch.

Yes, the dishes must be washed,

those pots and pans scoured

and hung on the hooks.

Yes, we have to drag that heavy Hoover

all around the house

and stretch the hose

to clean under the Hoosier.

Yes, Darling,

I know it’s not a pleasure.

I know there will be dust again

just as soon as we are done.

But if you think smart,

you’ll learn to see with your heart.

You’ll see it as just of a part of the fun

when we do our chores

while, God willing, we’re able.

Heaven forbid if we couldn’t!

Imagine if we didn’t!

If the sink was all jammed with dirty dishes

so there was no room for more!

If the layers of dust there under the table

or on the shelves

were so thick we couldn’t pull from there a book

for the rising dust in the air!

Darling, you see,

Poppa and me,

we have this lovely home,

all neat and comfy and clean,

such a blessing it is,

and it will be that way every day

if we just keep pulling that old vacuum around!

Here, Honey, help me

and when we’re done

We’ll have time to have fun.

We’ll sit on the porch swing

and you’ll read to me from your book

and you’ll teach me to sing

all your new American songs

and we will be happy because

we’ll know how much work it took

to enjoy and laugh and play

while we pass away

the rest of our day

as happy as we can be!

And then Poppa comes home from work

and we eat our supper together!

What could be better?

Come, my darling Grandson,

my treasure,

Help me.”

And of course,

how could I not?