Mother's Day

Mother’s Day has always been very special to me from saving up my allowance and quarters earned for A’s to the sale of papers to the remnants of seine checks to buy Mother's Day gifts to a wedding day on Mother’s Day Eve to the sad day in 2000 when my numerous calls were not answered by her 1500 miles away to find on Monday that she had died waking up at night on Mother’s Day. Make every day a Mother’s Day while she still lives; no matter how far away she lives call and visit children in tow and of your time be always willing and able to give.  Happy Mother's Day to all. 

On Mother’s Day 2018

On any day on this planet a holiday or observance we humans will greet

Some with other nations shared and some very unique

Each with its history, traditions and different quirks

Some with a bonus of a paid day off from work

With all our differences is there a holiday that will all of us unite

Yet put some of us to the test to make sure we bring delight?

All of us no matter where on this planet reside share a common thread

From a womb after close to nine months is how we were bred

Even if we started out in vitro

Once fertilized it’s into the womb we must go

Nine months growing in a tiny cramped space

Hopefully head first to come out and to join the human race

To be placed on her chest to be bathed in her love and affection

The bond  between mother and child of love and protection

Ever since we had memories and first put colored paper to glue

And with a dad’s or teacher’s help the perfect heart we drew.

To honor our mother on her own special day

In later years all manner of gifts would soon be on their way

Candies, flowers, cards, wishing to have missing the last minute crunch

And the worry to make sure we found the perfect Mother’s Day Brunch

The adoration and toasts from husbands and children or the long distance calls

At times the phone companies wishing more switches or towers to have been installed.  

Nothing is too good for one’s mother for when she has passed

A hole so hard to fill, an emptiness that seems to forever last

A 24/7 job way before the term we all came to use

Cook, chauffeur, maid, teacher, nurse, all manner of hurts to diffuse

A 24/7 job should not have only one special day

Other habits for a child then adult should come into play

Honor a mother each day of the year

Little acts showing how she is held dear

From cleaning one’s room to washing the dinner plates

Later acts away from the nest like the calls and visits not to abate

To the photos of her grandchildren all smiles with handwritten cards

To the moments in the final winters of her life when a role reversal becomes hard

Time for an adult child to care for and love her as she did for you in her 24/7 way

And whatever you do, do not, do not forget her on Mother’s Day

© May 12, 2018 Michael P. Ridley aka the Alaskanpoet