Tomorrow will be my first Mother’s Day without my mom, as she passed away this past September. While I was thinking about this, and thinking about tomorrow, I realized that since she is now in heaven it will be her first Mother’s Day with her mom since 1973. How wonderful that they can be together, and also that I will see them again someday as well!
When special things happened in my life, my mom often used to say, “Now you put that in your garden of memories.” I thought of this the night that she passed away, and was inspired to write this poem. Part-way through writing it, I got word that she had gone, and somehow I think the writing of it brought me some comfort even that night. I dedicate this tonight to those of my readers who, this Mother’s Day, are dealing with the loss of their moms.
My Garden of Memories
peanut butter cookies
with milk
grilled cheese sandwiches
with hot chocolate
welcome me home from school
a skinned knee tended
a broken heart mended
a listening ear
for a falling tear
a guitar to teach me a song
music for my whole life-long
Brahms’ lullabye in a rocking-chair
birthdays at Ming’s Kitchen
Christmas carols around the piano
prayer around the table
a song with tea
on the porch
trips to Grandma and Grandpa’s in Penticton
stories about the orchard where Mom grew up
carefully helping me
learn my Bible verses
hiding God’s Word
in my heart
winter nights
around the fire
while the wind howled
in the wire
morning walks by the shimmering ocean
picking blackberries
for delicious pies
trips to Eaton’s to visit my dad
picnics at Goldstream
summers at camp
memories in my heart I hear
of my precious Mother dear.
This ministered to me. a lovely poem you can almost touch, taste and smell.
Thank you, Jenni! I’m glad the poem blessed you – this encourages me to share more of my poetry in the future.