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Alice M. Daniel (1913-2004) was born in Wilson County, TN on July 2, 1913 to the late Joe and Janie Crowder Womack. She attended Little Bethel School and Old Bradley in the 1920s. On May 16, 1936, she was united in Holy Matrimony to the late George Daniel. Alice was a member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, TN where she served faithfully as a choir member and Sunday school teacher, until her health failed. She enjoyed doing for others and visiting nursing homes. Alice also enjoyed animals, plants, and cheering on the Tennessee Titans football team. More importantly, her wisdom and guidance as the oldest living member of my family, at the time of her death, is immensely missed. These poems are just a smidgen of the blessings and gifts that my family was able to enjoy for decades. As a poet, Aunt Alice would say a poem beginning to end without ever having written anything down. It was truly an amazing spectacle to witness. This is to my grandparents, especially my Grandma Gladys, who took care of Aunt Alice until her passing and made sure she was happy in her final days. Thank you.

It’s in the Valleys I Grow

Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
Full or sorrow, trouble, and woe,
It’s then I have to remember,
That it’s in the valleys I grow

If I always stayed on the mountain top,
And never experienced pain,
I would never appreciate God’s love,
And would be living in vain

I have so much to learn,
And my growth is very slow,
Sometimes I need the mountain tops,
But it’s in the valleys I grow

I do not always understand,
Why things happen as they do,
But I am very sure of one thing,
My Lord will see me through

My little valleys are nothing,
When I picture Christ on the cross,
He went through the valley of death,
His victory was Satan’s loss

Forgive me Lord, for complaining,
When I’m feeling very low,
Just give me a gentle reminder,
That it’s in the valley I grow

Continue to strengthen me Lord,
And use my life each day,
To share your love with others,
And help them find their way

Thank you for the valleys Lord,
For this one thing I know,
The mountain tops are glorious,
But it’s in the valleys I grow!


Drinking From My Saucer

I’ve never made a fortune,
And it’s probably too late now,
But I don’t worry that much,
I’m happy anyhow

And as I go along life’s way,
I’m reaping better than I sowed,
I’m drinking from my saucer,
Cause my cup has overflowed

Haven’t got a lot of riches,
And sometimes the going’s tough,
But I’ve got loving ones around me,
And that makes me rich enough

I thank God for his blessings,
And the mercies He’s bestowed,
I’m drinking from my saucer,
Cause my cup has overflowed

I remember times when things went wrong,
My faith wore somewhat think,
But all at once the dark clouds broke,
And the sum peeped through again

So Lord, help me not to gripe,
About the tough rows that I’ve hoed,
I’m drinking from my saucer,
Cause my cup has overflowed.


A Building

I watched them tear a building down,
A gang of men in a busy town,
With a heave and a hoe and a lusty yell,
They swung a beam and sidewalk fell,
I ask the foreman “are those men skilled?”
Are these men you hire if you want to build,
He gave a laugh, no indeed,
Common labor is all I need,
I can easily wreck in a day or two,
What builders have taken years to do,
Then I thought to myself as I went on my way,
Which one of these roles am I trying to play,
Am I am builder who works with care,
Measuring life by a ruler a square,
Or am I wrecker who walks the town,
Content with the labor of just tearing down.


A Living Faith

I’ve dreamed many dreams that never came true,
And seem them vanish at dawn,
But I’ve realized enough of my dreams,
Thank God to make want to dream on

I’ve prayed many prayers when no answer came,
Though I’ve waited patiently and long,
Answers have come to enough of my prayers,
To make me keep praying on

I’ve trusted many that failed,
And left me to weep alone,
But I’ve found enough of my friend true blue,
To make me keep trusting on

I’ve sown many seed that fell by the way,
For the birds to feed upon,
But I’ve held enough sheaves in my hand,
To make me keep sowing on

I’ve drained the cup of disappointed and pain,
And gone many days without song,
But I’ve sipped enough nectar from the roses of life,
To make me want to live on.
A Rose

I would rather have a rose from the garden of a friend,
Than to have the choicest flowers when my stay on each must end,
I would rather have one single word of kindness said to me,
Than flattery around my grave when life has ceased to be,
So bring one flower, be it pink, white, or red,
For I’d rather have one bloom today than a truck load when I’m dead.


A Little While…

Fill not your hear with pain and sorrow,
But remember me in every tomorrow…
Remember the joy, the laughter, the smiles,
I’ve only gone to rest a little while…

Although my leaving causes pain and grief,
My going has eased my hurt and given me relief,
So dry your eyes and remember me,
Not as I am now, but as I used to be

Because I will remember you all,
And look on with a smile,
Understand in your hearts,
I’ve only gone to rest a little while…


When My Life Has Ended

When my life on earth has ended,
When my soul shall leave this land,
All I want in that day of judgment,
Shall be to hold my Savior’s hand

What I long for most of all,
Is just to behold King Jesus’ face,
To be the recipient of his mercy,
Touched by His saving Grace

I long to be accepted in His Kingdom,
For my good works done on earth below,
Just to thank Him for my soul’s salvation,
Dwell with him forevermore.