To Aunt Carol, With Love By Jim Gandolf

To Aunt Carol, With Love

Poem 

By: Jim Gandolf 

©️05302026

To Aunt Carol, With Love

Before the years began to spin and grow,

Back to the earliest days I used to know,

You lived beneath my father’s roof, his sister dear,

A constant, gentle comfort always near.

When I was small, a fragile, helpless thing,

You knew exactly what the hours would bring,

Spoonful by spoonful, patient and so sweet,

You guided me and gave me things to eat.

My very first memory of this life we share,

Begins within a crib of dark despair.

I cried aloud, a baby lost in fright,

Reaching for comfort in the lonely night.

And like an angel, you came to my rescue,

Stepping into the room to soothe me through.

You lifted me up and held me to your chest,

And in your arms, I found the perfect rest.

The Ride to the Root Beer Stand

I still can feel the wind upon my face,

Locked in the memory of a golden place:

 * Perched on the handlebars of your shiny bike,

 * A perfect summer afternoon we’d both alike,

 * While Grandpa stood beside us on the lawn,

 * Handing over coins before the day was gone.

He gave you money for a special treat,

To ride us down the sunny, quiet street,

Right to the root beer stand to beat the heat.

I felt so safe, so high up and so free,

With my favorite Aunt right there behind me.

Though time has fallen heavy in between,

And miles have stretched across the years we’ve seen,

The distance only lives upon a page—

For memories do not wither or outgage.

My thoughts of you have never changed or shaken,

The love I hold has never been forsaken.

Happy Birthday, Aunt Carol.

You will always be my rescue, my bike-ride champion, and my favorite Aunt.

Jim Gandolf