Legacy Log — Aunt Katie’s Poetry (GeneaPopPop)

Yesterday the mail brought an awaited treasure.  A couple weeks ago I received an email from Barbara.  She introduced herself as the daughter of a friend of my Great-Uncle Fred Bode.  She was in the process of cleaning out her father’s effects after his death.  She had come across a book of poems by Katharine Brenner Bode entitled “My Victory Garden of Thoughts.”  The book was self-published and bore the copyright date of 1943, plus Aunt Katie’s address in Pittsburgh.

Barbara had done a web search for “Katharine Brenner Bode” and discovered the site where our TNG-based family tree is displayed. She contacted me and asked if I would like to have the book of poems.  Of course I said “Yes!”   Aunt Katie was my paternal grandfather’s sister.

I have fond memories of the Bode family.  Uncle Fred was a YMCA secretary and later a High School coach.  Son Dana got me started in genealogy over 30 years ago.  I am still assimilating the research he gathered.  I remember Freddie because he played the bagpipes.  I still stay in touch in daughters Mary Anna and Miriam.  Mary Anna was a teaching missionary for the Presbyterian Church, serving in Sudan and Egypt.  Miriam was a teacher in Pittsburgh.  I remember my Mom talking about Aunt Katie’s kitchen:  “When she baked, flour was every where.  And so was the love.”

Aunt Katie’s poetry tells us something about the person she was deep within –  a woman of deep faith and strong citizenship, with a vibrant love of life and a caring spirit toward others.  Here are two poems from her book:

       TREASURES
True friends,
Like rare treasures,
Altho’ not on display;
Or met with often, are priceless
        Today.

       THROUGH MY GARDEN
I do hope you like my garden,
     And all my little flowers;
‘Cause I need friends to help them grow,
     Friendship gives sun and showers.

And that’s why I love to share it,
     With the ones who with me roam;
I hope you’ve picked a big bouquet
     To take with you to your home.

Thanks, Barb.  You have left a few of Aunt Katie’s flowers with me.  I’ll treasure them.