Tribute To Mama

Today I sat and pondered all the years that have gone by
and the memories of my childhood brought tears to my eyes
.And I can't begin to tell you all the things you've meant to me
since the day you gave me birth and held me on your knee.



But I'll try to put it into words, and hope you understand,
why I think you're the greatest mom that lived in any land.
You taught me oh, so many things of the goodness of mankind.
And you lived the example everyday to impress this upon my mind.



I don't ever remember an unkind word or deed,
Nor your ever planting a hateful malicious seed.
You taught me to try to see that the shoes that others wore
were sometimes painful, and that this may be in store



for me someday and I should forgive the things that they had done
Because we are all the children of that Great and Holy One.
There have been a lot of poems about the love of a Mother,
and I know that this may sound just like all the others,



but in each and every life there are things that just stand out
and I guess, Dear Mom, that's what this is all about.
Most mothers love their children and raise them with love and care,
but mom you've gone the extra mile and paid the extra fare.



I'll bet you think I don't recall the things you went without
To give each one of us the things we cared so much about.
I can still see you hanging clothes on the line in the dead of winter,
with frozen, red hard working hands so we could all look better.



The times you came home from working all day long
then bringing clothes for each of us, your check almost gone.
You taught us to want to strive for big and better things
To learn the fundamentals and be intelligent human beings.



To love each other and build a bridge that will never fall down
to be worthy human beings so we could wear a crown
of Glory in his kingdom and stand before our God
with spotless garments of good deeds and an unbending rod.



I could go on for hours and not come to the end
of all the acts of charity to your family and friends.
You've opened your heart to many who have hurt along the way
Giving comfort to everyone, you lived this everyday.



I don't think you even realize how special you really are
and how many lonely souls have been drawn to your door.
But I can tell you precious gem, and sparkling Jewel of splendor
Because I have seen so many times and felt you love so tender.



You never put requirements on the love you freely give,
and everyone's the same to you no matter how they live.
You see them as God's children and care about their pain.
and work to bring them back to God so they'll be happy once again.



You don't do much preaching, you don't have to you see
You do it by being an example that others want to be
The door of life will sometime close, and I pray that I might be
worthy to stand by you and dad, in God's eternity.



~*By Shirley Winters*~
©2001