For Mother

“I wish you were a nothing!”

A little girl once said,

To her dearest, darling mother

Before climbing into bed.

Yes, children tell it how it is

Regardless of the sting.

But now I wish to rectify

The pain that those words bring.

To my dearest mother,

You are incredible,

Radiating strength and beauty,

And to this girl: invincible.

Memories from years ago

Come swiftly to my mind:

Playing happily with your old dolls,

"Read the book just one more time?"

  

I know that there were times

When I wanted you around

When the pager or the telephone

Would oh, so loudly sound.

But I need to tell you, Mother,

That I am ever so proud of you

And I know that you have saved the lives

Of so many, who thank you too.

And now that I am older,

I feel you ought to know

That you’re my hero and the one

Who taught me how to grow.

You never let me doubt

Your capacity to love.

And you taught this little girl to

Rest secure in the One above.

And now that I’m ‘a nothing’

My prayer is that I’ll be

Even half the mum to my precious ones

That you have been to me.

Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Honour her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 31:28-31