The Kindness of My Mother

 

The Kindness of My Mother

 

I don’t know why I thought of this, it happened long ago,

This moment wrapped in happiness, although the time was dire,

My mother in the hospital, but this she didn’t know,

In three short weeks, post-surgery, my mother would expire.

 

It was the essence of my Mom that brings these thoughts to light,

Half paralyzed, tumor removed, lymphoma in her head,

Her son flew in from far away; unscheduled early flight,

She beamed, half-smile, and twinkled still, while lying in her bed.

 

Now, she was worried, of course she was, what would the future bring,

The doctors, nurses bustled round discussing what they know,

But, one young man, an orderly talked ‘bout his girl’s ring,

For soon the wedding would commence, and Mom was all aglow.

 

She asked the lad to bring her purse, in closet where it lay,

With one good hand, she found a gift produced in this small room,

And, now the artist went to work on napkin on her tray,

A wedding card she fashioned for the future bride and groom.

 

“This is for both, but please, if you, can kindly tell your wife,

I have no envelope to spare”; he gazed at her with love,

He saw the kindness of my Mom I’d witnessed all my life,

She taught me well, it comes by grace from our dear God above.

 

I know she watches over me, I sense it all the time,

For she and Dad are partners bound in love both now and then,

I see their picture on the stand with subtle smiles sublime,

I’ll try to pass some kindness on, until we meet again.

 

Peter Lowell Paulson

August 13, 2020