My Heroes: A ballad

T’was a long time ago
I was a six year old girl
With my sister, we went
to live in a farmhouse
just to be loved.

We stayed five birthdays
surrounded by other children
all cared for in equal measure
some short term, some adopted
just to be loved.

Decades have passed since
more children have come and gone
how fond are all our memories
and strong the influence
just to be loved.

After fifty christmas seasons
a hundred children or more
a Queen’s honour bestowed,
how proud and grateful am I
just to be loved.