My Mother

Sunday is Mother's Day and I would like to honor my mother with this beautiful orchid I wish I could give to her, and with this poem that I wrote about her. I loved my mom very much, and admired how she kept "it" all together, even when the seas were rough; she never was "at sea," herself, rather she kept our ship afloat, and all of her seven children moving along with good manners, good morals and good times. Here's to you Mom.

MOTHER

I remember my mother

in the basement

In front of the washing machine

with loads of wash

Darks, whites, and in-betweens

For seven children

And one very meticulous husband

Who wanted everything neat and clean

I remember my Mother

behind the ironing board

Pressing Peter Pan blouses

for brown school uniforms

And sewing on lost buttons

My Mother could work miricles

with leftovers

and create a delicious mystery stew

I remember my Mother

behind the wheel of our old station-wagon

Seven kids packed in tight

day or night

Driving us to art museums, skating rinks,

horse-back riding and tennis lessons

We were a captive audience to her plan

To have our fingers

In every piece of pie

in life

And to live large and full

But mostly.......

I remeber my Mother

telling a story

And laughing heartily at her own joke

My Mother loved a party

and reasons to celebrate

She seemed always to be happy

She would often say,

"Life is what you make it

It is really up to you"

Mother is gone now

But her laughter lives in me

I hear her still

Along with the thumping rumble

Of the old station-wagon.