“Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. …Her children rise up and call her blessed;” Proverbs 31:25, 28a NKJV

September 16 is a nice time of year; nicer because it’s the birthday of my mother. Now, my sister always made Mama proud, and pleased her in so many meaningful ways. Our little brother had his own unique way of being dear to her heart. But for some mother-ish reason, Mama liked my words, written. So, all I’ve ever done that seemed to me, to honor her was write, for her, on her special day. Somehow it does seem better than the scorched toast and dry scrambled eggs with a bud vase holding a chigger weed or clover bloom, which in my youth I’d be serving for her today, on a tray. I can imagine the mess she had to clean up after I got it done. I share the words in her honor, and because she would want me to.

Dear Mama

If Mamas could sell every tear they cried

And if they were paid for how hard they tried;

If happiness really, could be bought

And children learned every lesson Mom taught;

There’s no end to how happy and smart I’d be,

Because you’d have bought them just for me!

You’d have spent the tear treasures on everyone else,

And, perhaps, some SAS shoes for yourself!

For your big loving heart would always know

Where needs were calling, and your sore feet would go. 

You would be 91 today and I am celebrating your life; recalling the beauty of your heart in spite of the pain. Thanking God with a smile on my face for His grace in letting me be yours. 

A grateful daughter, Trisha                                    9/16/22