Mother's Day 2020

How I'm Glad You're My Mother
(with apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning)

How I'm glad you're my Mom
let me count the ways,
your laughter, encouragement
through childhood days.
You taught me times tables
and my ABCs
and made time to read me 
Bible stories.
You took me to church
and you sewed me some clothes,
and (gross!) you wiped my runny nose.
You cared when my throat
hurt too much to talk,
you took me to Oak Openings
for long winter walks.
You laughed at mistakes
instead of making a big deal
and made my childhood dreams
become real.
You fixed me my supper 
and washed all of my clothes,
there were times you encouraged me
when you didn't even know.
You did your best 
when life handed you a snag
and you were never
a teenager's parental nag.
And when there were times 
that you didn't understand,
you shook your head
and tried again.
You were always around
for me to talk to
and you could always think 
of fun things to do.
We colored and cut,
we threw and scored,
we even owned
an entire bookstore.
You could make me believe
my sandwich was a boat,
orange slices you used for a sail,
and when I was older
and moved away,
your letters were my only mail.
Down through the years
through the good, bad, and indifferent,
I've grown to know this much,
I wouldn't be who I am today
without my Mother's touch.
So for every night you worried for me
and every night you prayed,
for all of the meals you cooked for me
and all of the clothes that you made,
the thing I cherish most about us
is the relationship we enjoy today.
Mom, thanks for never
giving up on me and
Happy Mother's Day!
-T. Bent
(12 May 1996, Mother's Day)