The nicest Mother's Day gift I've ever gotten.

(I just received this wonderful piece of free verse from my oldest daughter. I hope whomever reads this at NSA appreciates it.)

Gifts


Often these days, people admire my riding.
They ask me when I learned.
"My mom took me as little child.
Later we took lessons together."
"Oh, how wonderful," they say.
"That must have been so nice."
And, yes, it was.

"Why are you so articulate?" people ask.
"How come you know so much?"
I read. I've always read.
Before I could read myself,
My mother read to me.
Even if she got to read the new Nancy Drew first,
There were always books,
As many as I wanted.

In passing, I mention my mother's scuba diving,
Or her latest trip, solo to Turkey.
"How old is your mom?" they ask amazed.
"She sounds very adventurous."
So many people, as their age increases,
Their world shrinks.
But with every year, my mother's world
Grows ever larger.
I hope this, too, is a gift,
My mother has passed to me.

(On edit: DU is a major part of my intellectual life and one of the ways I've considered myself to have grown and coped these last 6 years - so thank all of you who contribute so many substantive posts for helping my world grow larger.)

(on 2d edit: think about sending your Mom a message like this - thanking her for whatever intangible gifts she gave you. I think there are a lot of terrific Moms out there to have produced the kind of caring, thoughtful people at DU)

If you still have a mom, treasure her. No matter your differences, when she is gone, the chapter is written and the book is closed and it is hard.

And, isn't really all you hoped for? I mean, some people wish grand educations on their children without realizing they are the primary educator. Other people wish wealth for their child without realizing they are the most important bank.

It sounds to me as if you've been doing a wonderful job of keeping it all in balance, Mom. Congratulations!

It is affirmation in writing. I know you are proud.

It is very apparent how she feels about you!!

Enjoy.

One of my daughters just gave a donation in my name to Heifer International. I love knowing that I will be helping a family (and community) in a third world country. We have lovely daughters, don't we?

Re daughters, I think of that song from Gigi: Thank heavens for little girls .. . . . they grow up in the most amazing ways.