Arlene

Arlene, Arlene, what can I say?
Your son-in-law to this very day.
30 years ago to your dismay,
I showed up and won't go away

You loved to teach the little ones,
in rain or sleet or snow or sun.
Some were work and some were fun,
the foundation you laid had just begun.

You love to serve and sing God's praise,
in choirs and jails, with Gideon's page.
The lessons you taught were often sage,
that God is love and Jesus saves.

You raised two girls, in your home
Always with boys and on the phone.
Strong, beautiful, bright, now on their own,
Strong willed like their mom, but neither a clone.

And a young boy, who out paced his pears,
years filled with joy, days tinged with tears.
He surpassed your hopes, in spite of your fears
and is doing so well after fifty long years.

But today is your day, so lets get our marry on,
I'll close up now lest I start to carry on.
You're no longer spry but nor are you carrion,
today you're an octogenarian!