A Mother’s Love

The sun shone brightly

On our stroll along the well loved shore

We laughed even though there were tears in our hearts

My return home, to celebrate her- a life well lived

Our rock and wisdom called to her eternal home

Days spent recounting memories

The dolphin’s hello

And the ashes flowing

A welcoming embrace.

Legacy of strength, courage, and optimism

Given so freely to you

As you then gave to me

Your pouring out of yourself

Giving, giving, giving…

Teaching me about sacrificial love

A mother’s love

-Amy Lyon Smith

-This was written first and foremost for my wonderful mom! I remember when I was younger, my mom telling that she didn’t think she’d be able to breathe if her mom died.  I now know how she felt.  My heart goes out to all those who’ve lost their mothers and especially those who lost their mothers before the passage of time begins to prepare you for the loss. (I know some amazing women who have lived through this).

Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn’t know you had, and dealing with fears you didn’t know existed- Linda Wooten

Love as powerful as your mother’s for you leaves its own mark…to have been loved so deeply… will give us some protection forever. – J.K. Rowling

My grandmother passed away at the end of 2013 at the age of 84.  She taught us all about a mother’s love and thought that being a mother was her highest calling. If I’ve ever met anyone who seemed like a BFF to Jesus, it was her.  She lived to see a legacy of 4 children, 6 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren. I was the oldest grandchild and had the first children.  I still remember her coming to see me during labor and then sitting in the waiting room for each of my children’s births.  She wanted to be early in line to hold those precious babies.  Nothing was more important to her than family.

And then I realized when you look at your mother, you are looking at the purest LOVE you will ever know -Mitch Albom

She passed that on to my mother.  When I was young, I didn’t see the strength that my mother possesses. I didn’t see how she sacrificed, during a time, to work a 3-11 shift, missing the changeover of my getting out of school and only being able to peer in and watch me slumber late at night.  I didn’t see how she gave of herself to help whoever asked.  I didn’t see that she did without so that I could have.  I didn’t see how she was the constant peacemaker in a land of raging teen hormones.  And I never knew these things because she didn’t complain about them.

My Mother- She is beautiful, softened at the edges & tempered with a spine of steel.  I want to grow old and be like her – Jodi Picoult

She always had a smile on her face. She brightens up a room and puts all at ease the second she enters it. She’s also good for a laugh at something highly inappropriate.  A very loud laugh.  And then our laughs and voices will continue to get louder the more excited we get.  The family affectionately calls it using the “Scott” voice.  I don’t know if Scottish people are loud, but that is her maiden name and a large portion of our heritage. My mom is my rock.  Besides my husband, she is my sounding board and privy to my struggles and thoughts.  She is amazing and I am so grateful to honor her today and every day.

The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother. -St Therese of Lisieux

Let your light shine!

Amy

The poem was considered from the WordPress daily prompt of stroll and sacrifice.