This Woman: Celebrating My Mother
Celebrating my mother on Queendom Day!
I wrote this poem for my beautiful mother 10 years ago. With a few adjustments, I thought it would be the perfect post for this month in celebration of Mother’s Day --- Queendom Day.
Fifty-two years ago, I came through the womb of this woman...many of the stories I’ve heard are from her memory. Forty-nine years ago, I remember the feeling and knowing support, security, and love. Forty-six years ago, I remember the birth of another child...my brother. For a few years, I remember her struggles of abuse, poverty, and disappointment. Forty-four years ago, I remember not feeling the pinch of poverty as this now single mother of two worked only for the happiness and survival of her children. Forty-one years ago, I remember the back slide back into unhappiness as she struggled, yet again through abuse and disappointment. Thirty-nine years ago, I remember her breaking free from all of the abuse and disappointment thrown her way. Thirty-eight years ago, I remember the birth of a strong, independent, no-nonsense African American woman; a beautiful mother of two, reborn.
Over the next 34 years, the memories of this woman have continued to build as she has always been the most influential part of her children’s lives.
Four years ago, this woman beat breast cancer. Through the battle, she showed the strength and resilience of a lioness. A year ago, this woman was scarred by another bout of cancer. Once again, she fights, and although some days are much harder than others, she doesn’t always feel strong and resilient, she makes it through another day --- she continues to smile, share, and love.
Today, this woman, my mother is the one true idol in my life; the one human being that has shown me what it is.....
To succeed, to fail
To push forward, to bail
To live, to die
To laugh, to cry
To feel beat, to retreat
To accept scorn
To be reborn
Hold my head up and move on
To have faith, to pray
Look to another day This woman, my mother showed me what motherhood is all about, not with her words but with her actions. With all of my failures, all of my own disappointments....I can only thank God for her and thank her for making me the woman, the wife, the mother, the grandmother, and the daughter that I am today. I can only pray that I am to my children what my mother is to me.
Thank you, mommy, I could not have accomplished all that I have without you!
Queendom Rising....
