Mother's Day is probably one of the most dreaded days for moms who have suffered the loss of a child. Even, if we have the blessing of other children, there is always that empty chair, that lump in our throat and an indescribable ache in our hearts for that one who is no longer here with us.
Each of us prepare ourselves for Mother's Day in our own way. Some of us continue on with the traditional celebrations. Some avoid the day completely or struggle to find a way to make it through the day without a "meltdown." We may seek ways to create new memories with our children who gather around us, but we would most likely all agree that it just isn't the same without that one child no longer in our family circle.
I have countless Mother's Day memories created by my three sons, Eric, David and Kevin. And, on this Mother's Day, I am remembering one significant Mother's Day just one year before my son, Kevin, died. What I remember most about that Mother's Day is the look on my youngest son's face, when he handed me his gift - - - the same look of delight that he had on his face, when he was a little boy and he had pulled a flower out of a flowerbed in our front yard by it's roots to give to me. With roots and dirt dangling from the mutilated flower, what I focused on was his beautiful smile, and the sound of his precious voice when he handed me the flower and said, "Mommy! Look what I have for YOU!"
And, on our last Mother's Day together in 2001, he handed me my gift from him with the same boyish smile on his face, as that precious day when he handed me the flower, as he said, "Mom. I hope you like this!" Like it?
I LOVE IT! He had written me a poem, placing his favorite picture (and mine) of us together, when he was about 5 years old in the center of the poem, framed in a lovely (and frilly) white frame - - beautifully wrapped and proudly given, this is now one of my treasures from him and it hangs on the wall in my bedroom as a reminder of his love for me.
I share Kevin's poem with you 11 years after he wrote it, not to boast or brag that I'm such a "beautiful mother," (especially not in the morning without makeup and my hair done -HA!) but, rather in the hope that it will bring to your heart sweet memories of the ways your child said to you, "Mom, I love you!"
May this Mother's Day warm and comfort you and may you experience a measure of God's love, hope and peace as you celebrate the blessed gift of being a "beautiful mother" in the eyes of your children.
Love in Christ - Angie
"My Beautiful Mother" by Kevin Green
You are a lady, whom I'm proud to say
I've grown to love more every day.
You have always been there for me,
willing and waiting.
You have always cared for and put your children first.
So, now that I'm older, I can plainly see
Just how good you've been to me.
Yes, you are like no other.
I'm talking about you, My Beautiful Mother!
I'm sorry for those who can't remember
Christmases spent with you in the month of December.
I still look back at what I miss,
so many things you healed with just a kiss.
I close my eyes desperately to relive the past,
only to find out that it can't last.
Yes, you are like no other.
I'm talking about you, My Beautiful Mother.
I can picture you high atop a mountain
with the look of love surrounding you for eternity.
Mom, I love you in every way.
Have a happy Mothers' Day!
For you are like no other.
I can only be talking about YOU
My Beautiful Mother!
Thank you, Son, for all the "flower" moments we shared. I will hold you in my heart until I can hold you in Heaven.
I love you,
Mom