I am a Mother
with five girls and two boys
I have to admit
they're my pride and my joy
My kids are so special
they're all that I've got
I shelter and protect them
for I love them a lot
I want them all near me
each hour of the day
To prevent any harm
from coming their way

I've cried many a night
while lying in bed
Wondering how in the world
my kids would be fed
But I trusted in God
to help pull us through
And was amazed to see
what little faith could do

At night on the porch
I watch the kids play
We're a happy family
I'd like to keep it this way
They're running and jumping
playing hide-and-seek too
Childhood is so special
But its days are so few

They're teenagers now
they think they are grown
They want to explore
the world on their own
They want to go out
and have good clean fun
But with the evil out there
can this really be done
I don't want them hurt
I know how it feels
And once the harm's done
it takes ages to heal

Tonight's graduation
and I feel so down
In a matter of time
I'll take off my crown
With my kids at my side
I feel like a queen
But now that they're older
I know what this means

They'll be leaving the nest
leading lives of their own
Life will be different
when the last child is gone

They see I'm depressed
but I can't tell them why
I should be happy
but no I must cry
Of course I'm as proud
as a Mother could be
But letting them go
is not easy for me

They're all married now
with kids of their own
I've had to adjust to living alone
separate houses and cities
Have kept us apart
but they're really here with me
They live in my heart

I wrote this poem for my mom several years before she went to be with Jesus