For my mom

When I was little you worked all night

To be with us during the day.

You spent your time down on our level,

On the floor in play.

Playing pretend and reading a book

Having fun in every way.

You let us climb all over you

Messing up your hair

Patting your face, pulling your skin

Acting like a bear.

Then we’d lie down and go to sleep

Knowing that you were right there.

When I was sick, you took care of me

And stayed with me and listened to me complain

You sat on the steps in the middle of the night

So I wouldn’t suffer alone

When I was sad, or couldn’t sleep

You would rub my back forever

For hours on end it must have seemed

Trying to calm me down.

It gave me comfort and helped me relax

Knowing you were there.

You took me to church and taught me about Jesus

And showed me how to pray.

Your life showed me how to trust and have faith

In our Father up above.

That is why I believe in God

And I am who I am today.

As I grew older you helped out at school

And drove me all around

To baton practice, piano lessons and where ever I had to be

You were involved and interested

A cheering observer of everything I did

As I grew older still you taught me to be

Responsible, independent and self sufficient

I’m sure that you cringed

And prayed even harder as I got behind a wheel

But you let me go, trusting in God to take care of me

And mold me into the woman He wanted me to be

You welcomed my friends

Every single one

No matter who they were

Or what they looked like

Or where they came from

Everyone was at home.

Once out of school, you gave me a job

Taught me a career

So I could start a new life.

You took me to Florida to visit my boyfriend

And see if he was worth all the trouble.

You loved and accepted him

Even though you knew he would take me away.

Even now I know you are there

Still worrying and praying for me

Cheering me on and giving me strength

Courage and hope that I can be

Even half as good a mom as you.

So thank you for all that you do

Your sacrifices and love

Know that you are loved in return

Appreciated and missed.

I love you Mom!