I could not find another
woman
As devoted and loving as the
one I’ve known
Who raised five children and six others not her own
With soft hands and warm
heart until they’ve grown.
My mother was a nurse with
honor and distinction,
Caring for widows and
children was her true religion.
She responds to their calls
for help on all occasions
And never complained of heat
or exhaustion.
My mother was born on the
fourth of February,
On the very first year of
the 20th century
With deep emotion I remember
her birthday
For without her I’ll not be
here today.
I remember the positive
lessons she taught me
Be a blessing to others and
be kind to strangers,
The poor and the needy, give
food to the hungry,
Make life worthwhile on
earth in your journey.
I often wondered why she
seem so obsessed
In giving her children a
good education
So one morning I asked her
why the obsession
She said she grew up poor
with no possession.
I don’t want my children to
experience what I went through
Gleaning rice stalks from
the fields during harvest
Cleaning rich people’s homes
because I have to cater
And do odd jobs at the mercy
of others.
I want my children to become
what they can be
And have what I missed in my growing up years.
I want to see them as
lawyers, doctors or teachers
So that they can help and be
of service to others.
My mother did not go after
riches and fame,
She could have if only she
wanted a name,
But no she toiled on as a nurse day and night
To raise her children and
help others in their plight.
I saw her for the last time
one day in September
We talked and I shared my
stories with her
Then I embraced and kissed her to bid her goodbye,
She smiled as she asked “will you come home when I die?”
I answered with sadness and
with tears in my eyes
Yes, I’ll come home and be
at your side
No matter the distance and
where ever I am
I will crawl the ocean if it
need be, yes I will come!
She smiled the sweetest
smile I ever saw on her face
There I knew in my heart she
was happy to see
The fulfillment of her
dreams and ambitions in me.
I felt bereft for I knew
I won't see her again
And so I embraced her so
tightly as I said,
Thank you, Mama for the life
you’ve given
For the love you’ve shared,
for the sacrifices you’ve made
You gave us so much of
yourself and your values
All these I’ll cherish and
keep in my heart
Forever, til death do us part.