My Mom

Long before I could ever respond my mother caressed my face and
whispered how much she loved me in my ear.
She held me close and calmed my fears.
She loved me deeply and dried my tears.
I was completely dependant.

I jump out of sleepfulness as the airplane touches down on the Phoenix runway--
I have arrived to spend Mother's Day with my mom.
When I come into the house she is eating her lunch.
I kiss her on the head and wipe away her tear as she finishes up.
We go out on the back porch and listen to the birds and the wind in the trees.
She is ready for a nap so I will come back later.
At bedtime I rub her feet and legs with lotion;
I rub her fingers and hands and arms and neck.
I lean over and tell her that I love her,
She says, "I know sweetheart; I love you too."
I am elated. My heart is full and my trip is complete.
These would be the only words my mother would speak directly to me.

Her brilliance is gone.
Her love of reading is gone.
Her extensive vocabulary is gone.
Her painting and designing and crafting is gone.
Her memory is gone.
Her recognition is gone.
Her ability to walk is gone.

I caress her face and whisper how much I love her in her ear.
I hold her close and try to calm her fears.
I love her deeply; I will always dry her tears.
She is completely dependant and I love her.

Happy Mother's Day Mom...and thank you.