GROOM

I've never been a husband,
I guess you know that's true,
But I'll tell you how to please a wife,
There are some things to do.

Take her out for supper,
Or even for a snack,
And say you love her often,
And she will love you back.

Don't compare her cooking,
With that of dear; old Mom,
Just eat it and be patient,
Cause she'll soon be catching on.

If you want extra loving,
Brag on her, and make it thick,
And I promise if you mean it,
It will always do the trick.

Love her when she's 'crabby',
Laugh when things go wrong,
And don't forget her Birthday,
And don't forget 'Your song'.

And if you have a family,
Kids can be a pest,
So sometimes take them; off her hands,
For she deserves a rest.

I've passed along some tricks I've learned,
I hope she makes you happy,
Keep her safe and keep her loved,
And she may make you a Pappy.

Now learn to give as well as take,
For marriage is for two,
And as you give your love; my dear,
More love comes back to you.

You'll find with every rose a thorn,
With every laugh a tear,
But when it's done together,
That's what marriage is, my dear.

It depends a lot on how you act,
When disappointments come,
You can stand and look it in the face,
Or you can turn and run.

Now a little scrap's not going to hurt,
It clears the air out some,
If you want to say it, get it said,
Cause making up's sure fun.

You have to be their mother,
And to be their bride,
you have to 'love them up' sometimes,
When you'd like to tan their hide.

You have to feed them mighty good,
An apple pie won't hurt,
And here's another hint, my dear,
Keep buttons on his shirt.

I'll pass a secret on to you,
That I've learned through the years,
His favorite dinner and a kiss,
Will get you more than tears.

Now every husband likes to think,
That he's in full command,
So let him dream along, my dear,
I think you understand.

Learn to say "I'm sorry dear",
Even when you're right,
And though you're angry through the day,
Don't keep it through the night.

If you want to keep him home at night,
As loving as before,
Remember that he married you,
Not a ten cent store.

Leave the curlers in the bag,
And make-up on the shelf,
Add a little 'smelling'-good,
And an awful lot of self.

And when the 'New' rubs off a bit,
And the tarnish starts to show,
Remember work and loving care,
Makes sterling silver glow.

I hope when you've been married,
Perhaps a year or more,
That babies come to bless your home,
Say two; or three; or four.

And if God gives you children,
To bless your married life,
Don't get so busy mothering,
You forget to be a wife.

When the baby's wet, and the stew has burned,
And the house is just a mess,
You can still keep hubby happy,
If You don't forget his kiss.

And as the years go slipping by,
And you think he'd like to roam,
Be sure he can't find anything,
That he hasn't got at home.

Now don't you get discouraged,
With all I've had to say,
Cause marriage sure is wonderful,
When two folks feel 'that way'.

When love and work and sorrow's shared,
And you love him most to pieces,
If you help him when he mows the lawn,
He may help you with the dishes.

Although to-day I'm sure you see,
The future, as you two,
Make room for God in all your plans,
And He'll bring joy to you.

I've rambled on, as mothers have,
Since marriage first begun,
Just don't forget, it's up to you,
To care for my new son.

MOM

AUTHOR: Margaret Shankland