Mother's Day

I wanted to share this poem from Stephanie Husted because nothing I can write today will be as eloquent as this poem:

This is for the Mothers...
(Each mother that I've known)
Whose greatest hope was someday
To have children of her own.
For the ones who proudly rocked their dolls
And kissed them each goodnight
This is for the Mothers
Who were told,"Something's not right."

This is for the mother
Who when faced with such a trial
Sits beside her child's bed
Just praying all the while.
For moms who learned of patience
In ways that no one should
For mothers who know firsthand
Life isn't always good.
When dreams of all the "oohs" and "ahhs"
As doting friends arrive
Become instead...a battle
To help their child thrive.

This is for the mothers
Who refuse to sit in silence
Advocating for their child
With constant love and guidance
Appointments fill their busy lives
It's time to go again
With feeding pumps, and specialists
A tank of oxygen.
As people stop...to take a look...
Just wondering...what's wrong?
I've seen that look, a hundred times
"You must be very strong".
The oohs and ahhs don't matter
Now life seems much more clear
I'm lucky I'm his mother....
I'm blessed to have him here.

This is for the mother
Whose shaking hands release
The child that she loves so much
(And then she prays for peace)
"We will take good care of him"
The nurse says carefully
This mother's thoughts are simple
"Lord bring him back to me.
His life no longer in her hands
She wonders what's in store
This is for the mother
Who has walked this road before.

This is for the mother
Whose worst fear comes to light
"We're still not certain what went wrong"
"We'll watch her through the night."
For mother's who sit powerless
Praying...please let her survive
For mother's who go on somehow
When their miracle doesn't arrive.
As some wake up on Mothers day
To kisses, cards and laughs
Others have just memories
and well worn photographs.

This is for the mothers
Who knows that it's a treasure
To have a child...love a child
There is no greater pleasure.
For runny eggs and blackened toast
Arranged upon a tray
With a bunch of wilted dandelions
"Mom does it taste okay?"
For every busy restaurant
And every crowded mall
The words...."I love you mama" are...
The greatest gift of all.

~Stephanie Husted