A Sentiment

God knew what He was doing when He sent a gentle breeze and brought a lovely butterfly to set my heart at ease. The happiness of your friendship and the gentleness of your words have touched my life in special ways and now I feel assured. Thank you for your loyalty and for reading everyday. I only hope you find things to make a happy day.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Bed in Summer


Bed in summer by Robert Louis Stevenson

"In winter I get up at night
And dress by yellow candle-light.
In summer quite the other way,
I have to go to bed by day.
I have to go to bed and see
The birds still hopping on the tree,
Or hear the grown-up people's feet
Still going past me in the street.
And does it not seem hard to you,
When all the sky is clear and blue,
And I should like so much to play,
To have to go to bed by day?"



I was born during the time of the polio outbreak in our town. I was having trouble walking and was taken to the doctor. They found out that I had polio. They didn't have the knowledge that they have today and immobilized patients putting braces and splints on limbs that were affected.This was way before the vaccine.  My Grandma had heard of the Sister Kenny way of treating polio and she and Mom treated me themselves with hot packs and a form of physical therapy. They weren't trained in any way, but my Grandma thought that it didn't make sense to put someone in a brace...she felt that exercise was the way to go. I guess I can thank my Grandma for the way I am today. 
Later on I was really under the watchful eyes of my Mom and Dad. I had to keep my legs warm (snow pants) in the winter. Sturdy high top shoes, naps and an early bedtime. I can remember being in my room and hearing my friend Mary and her Mom outside rollerskating. I peaked under the shade and watched...wishing that I could be out there. 
This was the time that I really enjoyed reading and still do. One of my favorite authors was Robt. Louis Stevenson. Grandma bought me the book, A Child's Garden of Verses, and I was introduced to poetry. i think that the many hours of "resting" were responsible for my love of poetry today. The little book was given to the cousins I'm sure, as were all of my toys....but I bought a copy for my little ones at a book fair. I have it still. The above poem is one of my favorites.I tells my story so sweetly.
Balisha

11 comments:

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

I love this book
it sits by my rocking chair
where I can look outside from
the upstairs window.
I bought it not for my children
or grandchildren
but me!!!
Guess I am childish in many ways..

Margie's Musings said...

What wise people took care of you! Common sense is so rare today.

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Hi Balisha..:) Yes, I now love that name. Joe picked a perfect one because I will always think of you as Balisha!

I had my babies before they had the polio..and my second son..an active baby, tried to walk over and over. His little left leg would crumble under him..he had a high fever..
Years later when he was in first or second grade, he became ill with Spinal Meningitus and they found out he'd had polio. That disease must have just brushed my tiny son..
I need to write to you. I have a request for Sunday. I need you to light a candle for us..I think God knows you..you will do this??
Please?

bj said...

Oh, my....polio was such a scary thing. They didn't know what caused it and we went thru all kinds of things to prevent it...like, don't chew bubble gum...don't go swimming in a public pool, don't play outside during the hot part of the day...my poor mama worried herself sick that my brother and I would get it.
When the sugar cubes with the vaccine came along, we all stood in line for hours to get it. So thankful for Dr. Salk.

Judy said...

I always had to be in bed by 7:30--even in the summer. It was hard to go to sleep with the setting sun steaming into the bedroom. I remember, I wasn't allowed to go swimming on a really hot day. They thought the cold water on a hot day might cause polio--and they had protective head covers on the back of the seats in the theatre--which they changed between shows. It was a scary time in those Polio days!

Balisha said...

Hi Ernestine,
We certainly do have much the same tastes in books. I have loved that book forever. I sometimes go into the children's dept at the library to just look at the new books...their artwork etc. I love children's literature.
Balisha

Balisha said...

Hi Margie,
My grandma had so many old time remedies...probably like most older folks. Mom would always call her before she called the doctor.Those remedies seem to be coming back a bit in using natural things to heal.
Balisha

Balisha said...

Hi Mona,
I will light a candle for you. I know that God knows you too...you just have to trust that he knows what's best in situations that seem to have no answers for us here on earth.
Balisha

Balisha said...

Hi BJ,
Thanks for visiting and taking the time to leave your comment. I think that all mamas were scared to death of that dreadful disease. I had a friend in the neighborhood whose mom was in an iron lung. We were all scared to go into her house for a long time. So thankful for Dr salk.
Balisha

Balisha said...

hi Judy,
So glad to read your posts again. Glad you are back and healing well. I had forgotten about the covers for seats in the theater. My mom was sure that I got polio from swimming in Lake Michigan....we actually moved to the suburbs to get away from the threat.
Balisha

Barbee' said...

I have always, and still do, love that little poem. It comes to mind frequently during the long summer days.