MotherAunts

Even the simplest rhymes can touch someone who appreciates the extension of yourself to not send a pre-printed card, but to write something yourself, something of which they have shared in the experience. This was for my aunt, with whom I was raised, helping my mother. Her tears were all the recognition I needed.

February 2, 2000 For Mother

As another Valentines� Day comes near
The more I think, the more its clear
All the love you gave still resides in me
And all the love I give can only set me free

There was a love you cooked into all the meals
That filled my life with a grace that heals
And made it penetrate down into my bones
That fortified me when I was away from home.

There was a love that always knew what to do
Despite coughs, colds or boils - you pulled me thru
To help me recover from the ills of those days
You enriched my life in so many ways

There was a love that kept structures intact
You learned to drive, to home care & income taxes
You did your best to keep your doubts far away
From my happy childhood, your love did not sway.

May 1, 1994 For Mother

Many sunsets have gone by
Since I last looked in your eye
And many tears have I cried
For sad feeling having been denied

When the sun sets brilliantly over the hills
And the sky is rich in colors of red and blue
Then with hindsight we can remember
Our times spent together, just me and you

And when the sky is dark, and we are apart
We will touch our fears and cry alone
Though we are far away, we are one in heart
Missing Dad�s love, we ache to the bone.

In our sleep comes a dream from God
To know we have His love and that is enough
To bear life�s burdens with energy leftover
To find joy, prosperity, and other good stuff.

As the sun rises we are refreshed and awake
Able to live and love with each breath we take
And as the sun shines down so dazzling at noon
We�re reminded that we�ll be together soon.

May 7, 1997 For Mother

There aren�t enough days
To think of all the ways
To put on grand displays
To show how much I care for you, mother

There aren�t enough hours
Or florists with flowers
Or poets with word powers
To say how much I care for you, mother.

There aren�t enough times
To express in colorful rhymes
Of how my heart pines
For how much I miss your loving touch, mother

There�s not enough �son-ly� love
Except from Christ above
To send on the wings of a dove
To say thanks for you�ve done, mother

But there�s no time like the present
To think of memories so pleasant
That surely must be God-sent
To know I�ll always have you in my heart, mother.

February 9, 1999 For Mother

A kiss, a hug, a gentle touch
These are the things I miss so much
There could never be another
That�s as sweet as you, mother

The cooking, the cleaning, the special feeling
These are the reasons I keep on believing
There never will be none above her
That loves me as much as you do, mother

Our times seem short & that may hurt
But when we meet it means so much more
And when my sister has only a brother
You�ll be even closer in our hearts, mother.

May 2, 1998 For Mother

Saying �thank-you� falls seriously short of the mark
When I think of all you have done to get me this far
And all the grateful expressions could not begin to convey
What you�ve meant in my life, whether at home or away

You have weathered great storms that have capsized lesser moms
Keeping your growing son and daughter both healthy and free from harm
Whether as mother, sister or as aunt, your love springs ever anew
With kindness, warmth and compassion put in all you do

So while the paths of our lives don�t allow us to be nearer
To think of what you mean to me, I couldn�t be any clearer
To the womb from which I sprang or the home where my bones rest
You�re the greatest mother of them all, indeed you are the very best.

February 9, 2000 For Mother

I could not simplify the depths of your love
To measure it in gallons, quarts or cups
Only knowing it by the peace I feel in your presence
Without words, within sight of you, that is enough

I could not reduce the breadth of your love
To portion it into tons, pounds or ounces
Only to know it by the nurturance of your works
Whether far or near, or whenever memory passes

I could not shrink the fullness of your love
Not even to send it back in phone calls or letters
Only to know it by the frequent, affectionate connections
Arising in words, spoken or written, of a son to a mother.

The love you gave and continue to give is immeasurable
So vast that neither intellect nor heart has fully known it
Only felt in the quiet places of my heart, mind and soul
That I hope shines through me as I face the world, resplendent.

October 11, 1996 - for my Aunt Irene

Sending loving thoughts your way
For the very happiest of birthdays
Which I hope will be quite serene
For my beloved & dearest Aunt Irene.

Through stages of my life I�ve grown
Helped by all the love you�ve shown
Changing diapers or baking me cakes
Doing it all - whatever it takes.

In this card, I want to express
My gratitude for your tenderness
And my words seek to convey
That I love you more each day.

May, 1995 For Mother�s Day

Here�s to the loving nurse
Who cared for me when I was young
And soothed my aches and pains
Whenever I had fallen down

Here�s to the gourmet cook
Who nourished my growing life
And catered to my sweet tooth
With chocolate cookies and apple pie

Here�s to the mindful seamstress
Who hemmed and patched my pants
And sewed the buttons on my shirt
So that I would look good in class

Here�s to the dutiful maid
Who washed the clothes and rooms
Drying sheets on a backyard clothesline
Scenting them with nature�s perfumes

Here�s to the only Mother
That I will ever know
Though we are far away
I know you love me so

Here�s a poem from your only son
As a gift to you on Mother�s Day
Please know it is sent with deep gratitude
To the Mom I love in so many ways.

May 8, 1999 For Mother

A Mother is the embodiment of pure love
In her heart, in her words, in her touch
The greatest gift any person has known
Is the love of a mother, like a seed sown

We can become our mother and love as she did
To all that we meet or only with our kids
We can put her loving care in all that we do
And see love around us, from others, shining through

I have seen my own mother shine through me, at times
From an early morning �wake-up� to nightly story times
To making good food that quiets an aching tummy
To cleaning dirty shoes, that from playing, were all dirty

Through 40 yrs., I�ve seen glimpses of my mother in me
Keeping the best of her love alive, giving love for others to see
That though I�ve left the house of mother, & someday when she�s gone
I�ll carry her spirit every day, till we meet again in God�s great beyond.