MOTHER

HEARTLIGHT(R) Magazine http://www.heartlight.org/


Mother, by Teresa Bell Kindred


When you are young, she is cookies and milk after school.

She is a comforting hug after a bad dream in the middle of the
night.

She is the cold rag on a feverish forehead.

A calm strength when you are frightened.

By the time you are a teenager, she is nosy and bossy.

She has more advice than Dear Abby.

She is old and out of touch.

She insists you go to church and prays daily you will not stray too
far from the principles she has taught you.

She is the first to jump to your defense when someone criticizes
you, and the first to tell you when you are wrong.

Years pass. You are a young woman and it is your wedding day.

She is more than your mother; she is your friend and she rejoices
at your happiness.

The proud look on her face tells the world how much she loves you.

When she becomes a grandmother, the advice she gave you when you
were a child suddenly takes on new meaning.

She never tires of hearing about her grandchildren's antics or
accomplishments, and she relishes in relating stories about them
over and over to anyone who will listen.

When she holds her grandchild in her arms, you see the same look of
love on her face that was there for you when you were a child.

More years pass and time begins to take its toll.

Her hair is now gray and her face lined with wrinkles. Her eyesight
and hearing are failing.

Her body is bent and her step unsure.

Now it is your turn!

She is forgetful and frail and then one day ... she is gone.

She is memories of comforting hugs in the middle of the night,
cookies and milk after school, the proud look on her face the day
of your wedding, the loving way she held your child.

She's gone, and yet she is with you because when you look in the
mirror, you see the woman she molded, as well as the little girl
who still longs to run to the comfort of her mother's arms.

Now it is your turn to do the things she did, and when you do them

You remember her love and realize that at last you know her secret.

A mother is mortal, with imperfections and failings.

She cannot solve the problems of the universe, nor can she protect
her children from every danger.

She can only try.

You wish with all your heart that you could tell her "thank you"
one more time.

And you can almost hear her whisper, "Thank me by loving your
children as much as I loved you."

She has given you something priceless, the legacy of her love.

This is taken from Teresa's great new book, Mom: PhD.
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