Mom

Learned From My Mom

As I pondered what I learned from my dad
I realized quickly I had learned from another
The one person you learn more from
The stronger lessons you learn from your mother

My mom had 5 children, my 4 sisters and me
When I asked for a brother, she smiled so kind
If it is a girl, we have to keep her
My toddler self turned saying, Never mind
Had I known then, the things I know now
that other events happened, ones that fate dealt
An innocent question from an unknowing son
Still she smiled at me through the pain that she felt

I was growing fast at a very young age
Taller than anyone my age I would see
Once asked once why I was not in school
She laughed and replied, the kid's only three
Hand me downs from friends for many of my clothes
I outgrew them quickly but they were enough
Mom always made sure of new outfits for school
Even though paying for them sometimes was tough

Mom went back to work and to school
To finish college with her teaching degree
My sisters had soccer, my dad had his work
I simply grew quiet and withdrew into me
I kept on going through that terrible time
No longer a boy, but not yet a man
Her time for just me during those years was rare
But thought when I had it, enjoy while you can
When a tragedy struck, in the service far from home
Sick in the hospital, thinking only of doom
I called on a Saturday to give her the news
At 10 the next morning, She walked in my room
I never asked her what the trip cost her
All that mattered then is she was there
She smiled and hugged, I was just speechless
With all that had passed, she always would care

She never spoke until lately of her own problems
of depression and doubt, of pain and strife
Of things I never knew and her doubts about me
Worried that her faults had messed up my life
All of your efforts have made me the man that I am
I gently whispered as she cried on my shoulder
Though my own problems had started our talk
I pushed them aside and smiled for her