John and Grace Reeves Clifton Family Album

This is a montage of photos I've collected of the John and Grace Reeves Clifton family from Kiowa, OK. Grace and John reared 14 children. It is difficult to capture the essense of that size of family in just a few pictures. Yes, that is Reba McEntire in one photo. She was a childhood family friend. This is a tribute to John and Grace and all the hardships they endured to provide for their children...
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FOURTEEN LITTLE IMAGES
BY GRACE REEVES CLIFTON HASS

Fourteen little images looking to me.
For meals & baths and vitamin D.
For clean pajamas and matching socks,
And kisses to heal the day's hard knocks.

There were bedtime stories, trips to the zoo
Measles and mumps and Asian flu.
Diapers to change, to wash and to fold,
And always somebody down with a cold.

If ever I had just a moment to spare,
There were ears to replace on a teddy bear,
A leg to glue back on a porcelain cat,
Or a ribbon to sew on a baby doll's hat.

Never an end to the noise and the clutter,
The please for jelly and peanut butter.
The "Mommy, come quick and bring me a jar
And tell me what kind of spider this are."

I loved them all dearly, but longed for the day
I'd shine up the house and keep it that way.
Oh glorious years when I would be free,
The things I would do, and places I'd see.

But now that the children are married & flown,
Our house is a house but not really a home,
And Dad's passed away and I'm all alone,
Just me and my memories and the nice telephone.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• John
• Grace
• Clifton
• Family
• Kiowa
• Oklahoma
• Russett
• OK

[bigclifton45]

my name is michael clifton, where r u from

[rainyskies2]

This clan of Cliftons is from Oklahoma.

[lvanciel]

do yall know the hatridges

[rainyskies2]

I married into the family so I can't say...I don't know anyone by that name.

[12jenny]

so are you and reba still friends

[rainyskies2]

Reba still stays in touch with some of John and Grace Clifton's adult children.

[anonymous1963]

Found this by searching google for: "mommy come quick and bring me a jar and tell me what kind of spider this are" Those are some lines I remember from a poem my mother had cut out of the newspaper and taped to the cellar door. Watched the video (loved it) and saw a pic of the poem. Paused it to copy the words but the last stanza is cut off. I remember something like, "How do I cope with this sad situation? By inviting the grandkids for summer vacation!" Where can I get the words?

[lvanciel]

well you know one of there kin i am related to them

[12jenny]

cool

[rainyskies2]

Yes, you found her!