Remembering Letha

I met Letha during the eighties of last century when I rented a room in her house in down town Houston. We soon became close friends despite the 40 years difference in age between us, but thanks to her unique sense of humor. I took her with me to Florida in a family visit and I drove her to San Antonio City and Galveston and other places. We did grocery together and also laundry. We cocked and eat together in her kitchen and planted vegetables in her back yard. Our friendship lasted more than 25 years until her heart finally gave up after about 8 years of fighting with cancer.

Remembering Letha

(1919-2010)

Once upon a time

I knew a lady named Letha Honey

In a way, she was like a mom

She was so nice, and so funny

Though her life was mostly cloudy

But here heart was always sunny

She was truly one of a kind Texan

Hard like an armadillo, but soft like a bunny

We did a lot of things together

We did grocery and we did laundry

And we went to a lot of places

Sharing food and sharing money

I drove her once to San Antonio

We flew once to Disney

***

Her son meant a lot to her

And her daughter was the music of her life

She was a great mom

And she was also a greater wife

But lately, her TV was her closest friend

And her plate, fork, spoon and knife

I don’t know whether it is sad or not

But after Letha, there will still be life.

***

Tarif Youssef-Agha

March 20/2010