a different kind of mother's day...

i've learned over

the years

that life is full...

.

...of unpredictable moments

your day to day

existence

can be humming along

and then

out of nowhere a

situation presents

that hits you

upside the head

 like a two by four

as i sat across

the table

from my son and his wife

the words stung

like alcohol to

a freshly opened wound

my tears feel freely

not just for me

but for my mother

it took me back

to a place
earlier in my life

where i too

said many unkind things

and for the first time

i was sitting in her seat

i read once

that every child

grows to hate their mother

and you will know when they

have matured

by the day

they learn to accept and love

her for who she is

no longer will you see

her short comings

rather you will

appreciate her care

her support

her love

for me

it took a while

to almost fifty five really

the greatest blessing

now

is the opportunity

 to observe my momma

with my princess of a girl

the two have become

best buds

for that i am most grateful

as i recognize

not every adult child

is given this

second chance

with their

mother still on earth
yet we know
those days are coming to a close
soon
my mother is dying
she has terminal cancer
it is slowly yet
surely taking away her
health
her good days
are becoming less and less
what would i change
not a thing i suppose
for our trials and triumphs
have shaped me into
who i am today
a very grateful daughter
who has the ability to
turn the bad into the good
the pain into a
promise
for a better tomorrow
no doubt
sad
yet brutifully abundant
with rich blessings
motherhood i've learned
is a journey
not a sprint
rather more like a
 marathon
that has not yet been run
because
we're always
in training