"Mama": A Mother's Day Tribute

It's been a difficult year for my mother. I have watched her go through so much with the death of my father. She has been brave and tried new things and has been through such grief and tremendous loss but has handled it with grace and dignity. Not only has she been a strong woman, but also a wonderfully supportive mother as she walked all of her children through this deep dark grief. When your children are grown, and your husband is gone, the mother's day lunches desist. There aren't nearly as many praises, or accolades at this point, you're lucky if you even get a phone call. But why is that? Just because your children are adults does not make you any less their mother. So on this Mother's day I would like to publicly acknowledge what a marvelous woman my mother is, and this poem that's just for her:

                                                      You'll Always be "Mama" to me
                                         When I was just a baby, and learning how to speak
                                         I would call you "Mama" and kiss you on the cheek.
                               When I took my first few steps, I would push your hands away
                              But you were always there to catch me, even if you couldn't say.

                                         "Mommy" was the next name I called you as I grew,
                                      I was gaining independence, but still really needed you.
                            You'd scare away the monsters, and kiss the boo boos on my knee.
                                 And you loved the hugs and kisses you'd always get from me.
                                    Every card I'd make for you was treasured and was dear,
                             but as the years began to pass, "Mommy" wasn't what you'd hear.

                             Soon "Moooooooom!" was what I'd scream from down the hall,
                             when I couldn't find my favorite shirt or needed money for the mall.
                                     Through helping me with algebra, or packing me a lunch,
                                  all you asked was "how's your day?" you didn't ask for much.
                                Instead I gave you groans and sass it wasn't what you'd expect.
                                    And I'm sad to say I didn't always treat you with respect.

                            And when I was finally old enough I left your nest and put up walls,
                                              I didn't call you anything, I didn't call at all.
                            I was finding myself in the great big world, I was pushing you away,
                                     Still you waited for me patiently, even if you couldn't say.

                                        Soon I wore a wedding dress and started a new life,
                                   "Mom" was what I'd call you, "teach me how to be a wife."
                                  One part woman, one part child we came to a compromise;
                                  I was learning you were right, you were learning to let me fly.

                                        And finally the day came when all your work paid off,
                                  They placed a baby in my arms and he was warm and soft.
                             Soon my house was full of babies; mess and kisses were my life,
                                    and I would call you "Mama" when I needed your advice.

                                          It's only now that I'm a mama that I can truly see
                                    Why I call you"Mama" and what "Mama" means to me.
                                     It's years of love and sacrifice and knowing when to pray,
                                     you've always had my back, even when you couldn't say.