For Moms

It’s been five years this week since my mother, Elaine Bagger, died. She loved butterflies. I wrote this poem for the bulletin we used at her funeral. It’s sentimental and it rhymes, but it was written from my heart at the time. I still talk to her now and then, especially if my heart is heavy and I'm sure she hears me because that’s . . .   

The Way of a Mother

by Susan Sundwall

With labored breath and happy tears

she brought you here to earth

and so became your mother

at the moment of your birth.

She gazed at you in wonder

precious daughter, tiny son

and held you up so proudly,

“Meet your daddy, little one.”

Then years rolled by like thunder

with laughter, joy and -  grief,

too soon you were a grown up

thanks to Father Time – that thief!

But standing like a solid oak

who’s limbs are strong and true,

your mother said, “I love you,

no matter what you do.”

So you hardly even noticed

how her back began to bow,

or that her former lively step

had now become quite slow.

A moment here, a moment there

was all that you could give.

She let you go quite happily,

had taught you how to live.

And now this loving woman

who brought you here to earth,

she longs to leave the wondrous life

the laughter, grief, and mirth.

When finally unto her there comes

the call to Heaven’s grace,

our God will gently take her

to His holy, peaceful place.

Happy Mother’s Day to all my readers.

Image: Free Digital Photos