Dear Ellen, Thank you so much for all the information you sent, way above and beyond the normal expectation. Dear List - Grandson Stephen answered Ellen's request to tell us more about the poem. The poem was written by his Grandfather, but from a Mother's viewpoint. (Now how can that be!? We mortal males know nothing about the workings of a woman's mind...) Note: Ellen included 5 attachments showing the different views of the book and its contents. Thanks again Ellen, from a believer, Dave Witthans ----- Original Message ----- From: Ellen Plourde To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, August 07, 2005 7:09 PM Subject: Fwd: FW: Poem Dave: this was based on your request about the poem written by S. L. Mendel Ellen ================= Subject: Poem Ellen: I really could not say why the poem is as it is. Samuel and I were close until I was about 20 yrs old as I spent most of my summers at his home when I was growing up and lived with him my first year of high school. He never mentioned anything about his parents. I knew his mother was Leonie and he had a sister named Rose but that was about it. The info you furnished with his step fathers name was news to me. He presented this book to my wife Lois the first time they met shortly after we were married in 1968. That is all I know about it. The book was by Dorthea S. Kopplin and she must have liked the poem also as it is the fist one in the book as part of the preface. Please read the forward and preface so you will know what Ms. Kopplin's mindset was. I suspect she may have changed the gender of the poem with his permission so it would meet her needs. If you would like I will go into the attic and find a couple of examples of the weekly newspaper articles he wrote for the Galv! a News for many years. It was called the Provincial Gardner and was a unique blend of gardening tips and anything else that was on his mind. As far as digging into his past, I am not really interested as I am quite content to remember him exactly as I do. He was quite a guy, generous to a fault, loved and respected by all and kind as any man could be. Yours Truly, Stephen Mendel ============ Ellen Plourde http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~opindex/ ===================== Original Message with the Poem: ----- Original Message ----- From: Ellen Plourde To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, July 29, 2005 8:47 AM Subject: [IL-CHICAGO] Thanks and a poem Again, thanks to those listers who have been helpful to me, especially with the research on Samuel Mendel. His grandson provided me with a poem Samuel had written. Special thanks to Masugu and Theresa. You are ALL so fabulous, and it helps me pay my RAOGK forward! Here's the poem, by S.L. Mandel To My Son Do you know that your soul is of my soul such part That you seem to be fibre and core of my heart? None other can pain me as you, son, can do; None other can please me or praise me as you. Remember the world will be quick with its blame If shadow or stain ever darken your name. Like Mother, Like Son, is the saying so true The world will judge largely of Mother by you. Be this then your task, if task it shall be, To force this proud world to do homage to me. Be sure it will say, when its verdict you've won, She reaps as she sowed. This man is her son. Ellen's note: how wonderful to get a glimpse of someone we've researched like this! Ellen Plourde http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~opindex/