I went today to the place
where you rest
along side the love of your life
I wondered about things left unsaid
and how you managed through all
your pain and your strife
I thought about how you held your head high
when darkness surrounded your days
I even imagined your tears and your pain
when they took your first born son away

I remembered your smile, your peircing blue eyes
the way you lovingly stroked my forehead
and saw through my simple disquise
when i pretended to be happily in love
I thought back to a time when you squeezed
my hand tight
as a nurse said she doesn't even know you are here
you might as well just go home
we'll take care of her from this point on dear
She probably won't make it through the night

I watched your heart break so many times
and listened outside of your room
as you cried softly into the pillow
for years that were robbed from you
and the brother I never really knew

I never knew so much love
never felt so adored
as I did when I looked in your eyes
watching me dance down the staiway
in your spectator pumps
in a size much too large for my feet
Your laugh was contagious, your voice soft and sweet

I smiled when I envisioned the look you must have
had on your face
when I came home from Class Night in 1980
holding my "Partier of the Year" award
Your had just hung up with your sister Eileen
and her son got Most Likely to Succeed
But you didn't get mad
you were slightly amused
and you said "Well, that's not so bad".
Everyone has something they are good at
and they couldn't have given a better award to you...

You told me to remember that I was special
and people will always be drawn to me
you said that friends are like treasures
and you can never have too many
and then you said that you've always had plenty
and that they have helped you become who you are
Mom, you never once made me feel insecure or inferior
You told me I was destined to be a star...

Well, As i stand here at your grave
on the eve of my 47th Birthday
I wonder now what you'd say
Would you still be proud of me
and the choices I've made
As tears come slowly down my face
the wind blowing slightly, the sky getting dark
I whispered out loud, and put my hand on my heart
and I knelt down and I prayed...

Thank you so much for giving me life
and teaching me how to be true
If I've ever learned anything worth knowing
It's everything that I've learned from you..

You carried yourself with dignity
as the world around you crumbled
You held your head high, and walked right on by
while those around you stumbled
Never once did I hear you complain
or moan about having a bad day
You woke up in the morning
and went off to work
You made sunshine of days that were storming
Whenever I did something of which you didn't approve
It took just a certain look from you
and I knew that that was my warning

You taught me so much about living my life
how to be a good friend, a mother, a wife
and I'll never forget things that you said
The things that meant the most to you
were family, and truth, and making sure we were fed
and an Irish Lullabye each night before bed
You once told me that learning is a life long process
when I laughed because you enrolled in a Political Science Class
I guess you were around my age now
It's ironic because so much time has passed
and I'm thirsty for knowledge, and answers
figuring things out for myself
and I know I'll learn it somehow
You said some people are the singers
and others must be the dancers

You loved your classmates and Alma Mater
at your Dear Old Meyers High
How funny it is that I now walk these halls
It probably comes to you as no suprise
that I'm spending my time trying to shape minds
and instill a sense of pride
You blessed me with this life I am living
You never received..You were constantly giving
and each day I still feel you by my side
the times that were hard, the days that I've cried
Advice from the Heavens is what I've applied
and forever you'll be in my heart
It may have been 47 years ago

when you brought me into this world
The youngest of seven, the baby, the brat
the one who you thought you were too old to raise
She stands here today, with her heart full of love
and will always have nothing but praise

The day will come when I'll see you again
and back in April I thought it was time
as I laid on a table with a heart that was broke
and I felt a light bringing you closer to mine
It was just a few moments, and I felt myself fade
and then you squeezed my hand
You reminded me that I had children who counted on me
and how could they ever understand?
You stroked my forehead and whispered in my ear
there is much for you still to do
Now go back and live a healthy good life
and someday I'll be back for you...
All of a sudden, I felt very strong
and willed my eyes to open wide
I looked around and heard people calling
and you were nowhere in sight
but I knew you're spirit was there
your strenth and your love
and I promised myself I wouldn't look back
and each time, my dear Mother, that I start to
get blue
I hear that Irish Lullabye and remember you..

So thank you for giving me life
and thank you for the life that you lived
There is no one or nothing in this world
that is as special an angel as you
and I know that I must carry on
and do the things I was meant to do.