Mama

It seemed appropriate to post this with Mother’s day coming up, even though it was originally a birthday poem I wrote for my own mom. It will always be hers, from me, and not an abstract ‘for all mothers’, however I can reasonably assume that there are at least a few people who will relate to it. So I share this in order to celebrate my ‘Mama’ and all that she is and has done for me and our family, but also to offer… something, to whoever may read it and glean some value or perspective from it.

Happy Mother’s Day.

Mama

I can’t say it all, and I can’t say it right
Not even if we stayed here all night

I think that when God saw kids on the earth
He wanted to tell them just how much they’re worth

Now that seemed to be an impossible task
Especially with all those damn questions they ask!

What about that? Why is it that way?
Can we get this? Can we go here today?

It became quite clear to our Lord up above
that these rascals needed consistent, miraculous love

More patience, more grace
Caring eyes to look into, a familiar face

Warm hugs, long goodbyes
prayers and ‘goodnights’, as we closed our tired eyes

Speaking of tired, there’s a catch 22
Not that this comes a surprise to you

But the miraculous creature that was to watch over these young
was to run on no sleep, … and no necks could be wrung.

Yes, the order created by children was tall
but something needed to answer the call

And if you haven’t picked up on where this is going,
I’m telling you mom there’s no end to my owing

I’m grateful, eternally, you’ve shown me so much
how to calm with a word and say goodbye with a touch

How to risk all in love, how to pray before bed
how to wake up in the mornings when I feel beyond dead

You never gave  up
never threw in the towel
(except for my laundry, which was also quite foul)

I don’t understand, and I can’t comprehend
how you loved us so much, even past your wit’s end

We’ve cried in your arms through our failure and loss
We’ve rejected advice on how often to floss

We’ve left and returned

And left and returned

Then you welcome us home though nothing was earned
A warm hug and a room, “welcome back, glad you’re home
But in the morning get up, use your brush and your comb
Clean yourself up, get a job, get a life,
get a grip, get outside make some friends, find a wife”

‘Okay mom I get it you love me and stuff
But can I take a quick break, life in high-school is tough”

Now looking back, all the things that you said,
still ringing around inside my grown adult head

Like ‘put on your seatbelt’, ‘be home before ten’,
‘be safe’, ‘don’t get a speeding ticket again’

‘If you’re bored, read your Bible’, ‘If you’re sick get some rest’
‘don’t be lazy’, ‘work hard’, ‘be polite’, ‘do your best’

So many words to say something so simple
‘I love you my child, every freckle and dimple

So please make the most of the life you’ve received
Don’t waste it, stand up for what you believe,

I love you my daughter, my son, please know
That I want you to succeed, learn, love and grow!’

I know mom,
             We all do,
                      And all this to say

We love you Mom

Thank-you,

Happy Mother’s day!