Monday, March 25, 2013
Mother In Law
"Mother-in-law" they say, and yet
Somehow I simply can't forget
"Twas you who watched his baby ways,
Who taught him his first hymn of praise,
Who smiled on him with loving pride,
When he first toddled by your side.
"Mother-in-law" but oh, 'twas you
who taught him to be kind and true;
When he was tired, almost asleep,
'Twas to your arms he used to creep.
And when he bruised his tiny knee,
'Twas you who kissed it tenderly.
"Mother-in-law" they say, and yet
Somehow I never shall forget
How much I owe
To you, who taught him how to grow.
You trained your son to look above,
You made of him the man I love.
And so I think of that today
When with thankful heart I'll say,
"Our Mother."
I gave this poem to "Our Mother" about 20 years ago. She hung it in her TV room until recently when pictures of her grandchildren expanded and she needed more space. I hadn't thought about it much until she became ill. She raised six children and taught them to be the people the are today - loving, caring, family oriented - passing these qualities to their families. Like her mother, she made all her children and grandchildren feel they were her favorite. She extended that love to her parents, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and "in-laws". She taught that gift to all her children and her happiest times were family gatherings watching that love pass on to new generations.
I think I can speak for the other sons & daughters-in-laws of her children - that she indeed "taught her children how to grow and made them the persons that we love." For this Mom - we thank you and will love you forever. Angela
