Dear Mom

You’ve been out long and wandered far.
Now there’s no where left to roam.
The ones you miss are calling you.
It’s time to hurry home.

Now, I ask, do you feel ready, Mom?
Made peace with self and God?
You said that once you’d hurt someone;
You’d “sinned” and you were “flawed.”

But know that God hears all your prayers;
Please know that He forgives you.
It’s time to just forgive yourself;
That’s all you have to do.

So, Mom, are you still bothered?
Does your life seem incomplete?
As if you finished one lost task,
Your life would feel replete?

Or can you see your life’s been full?
You’ve lived as most have not?
A child of twelve, a mom, a boss,
A hunter, (and damn fine shot!)

You ventured North to be a nurse;
Sought life to call your own.
Soon found love and life was good.
The future still unknown.

You moved to Eagle River then,
To kick off your career.
Just starting your small family-
Your life path seemed so clear.

Then came a call late one night,
With me, your belly round;
When you received the crushing blow,
Dad‘s plane crash site was found.

It wasn’t easy coming home
And starting up again.
But from the strongest single mom,
Came courage from within.

Kids with ADHD are hard,
With both a mom AND dad,
But all alone, you raised us well;
Your rules were ironclad.

Life’s direction changed again-
New love worth waiting for.
Again, you got to say, “I do,”
Two teens turned into four.

At forty-three you shocked us all,
Announcing Number Five.
We teens who thought you “old” were glad
You both came out alive!

Your life’s been filled with trials and loss,
Renewal, love, delight.
And if you say that you’re at peace,
We’ll all sleep well tonight.

If we’re not in the room with you,
You mustn’t feel alone.
We’ll be there in our hearts with you
When you are on your own.

They say death is always lonely,
No matter who is there.
We hope that’s not the case for you
But we’ve said a little prayer.

To hold your hand, or kiss your cheek
With you, we’d love to stay.
We all want to be close to you,
In case you drift away.

But we will not have lost you
If you don’t wake from this sleep,
We’ve tucked you in your bed tonight,
And in our hearts to keep.

We think you’ve suffered far too long-
Such pain these last few years!
Feel free to slip away tonight;
Don’t fret about our tears.

Please don’t forget we love you, Mom,
And also, you should know
We wish you peace, so when it’s time
It’s fine to just let go.