“Grandma’s Song”
By Uncle Rick Holmes
This song’s about a woman, strong and true
She’s 83 and she’s got this little secret of youth
Carries a tiny box inside her chest
It won’t let her die, though she’s tried her best
She’s got a pacemaker thumpin - one, two, three
Hear the pitter-patter beat
She’s got 83 years of rhythm in her feet
They just won’t let her be
To some she’s great grandma, and to some she’s ma
Just hope she won’t have to hear them sayin’ “great-great-great grandma”
The way that heart’s pumpin’ she’s just bound to be
The last left on the family tree
Chorus
The marvels of medicine have kept her here
And thanks to that tiny box, she’ll be here next year
But you ought to know it’s not her plan
To hang around till the end of man
Chorus
Well Grandma, we hope you know how glad we are
You’ve stayed around just to carry us and lead us this far
Someday you’ll go to that big quilt in the sky
But before you do, could you make some more pie
Chorus
“When I was in medical school, Grandma Lyman called me. She had a heart condition and it was recommended by the cardiologist that she have a pacemaker placed. She wanted to know my opinion about whether she should have that done or not. I asked her, “Well, how long do you want to live”?” She didn’t want to live forever, but since we weren’t ready for her to move up to the next life anytime soon, I recommended that she have the pacemaker placed. She did, and that’s how I came up with the inspiration to write that song. Thanks to a pacemaker and her spunk, she gave us many more years of her wit, her charm, and her love.”