True story: The words of this poem hit me like a ton of bricks while I was taking a very late shower one night. I felt so inspired to jot down the words that were coming into my mind, that I quickly got out and just started typing what I could because I didn't want to lose the ideas. That kind of inspiration has happened very rarely in my life. I am not sure why I was hit so strongly with the words to write this. It certainly is not Shakespeare, but I hope part of the reason I was inspired is because sharing it will help someone out there who reads it....
A Poem To A Mother....
by: Pamela Macdonald
copyright Macdonald's Playland 2014
Your head is feeling achy, filled with worries and with stress,
sometimes you question if today you truly gave your best.
It throbs and it runs, it hurts and it pounds,
at times you feel that it never calms down.
But that head that aches, look, it lifts up every day,
it houses sweet memories and has built the right words to say.
It has dreamed big for your family, for those kids you adore,
every day you pick your head up, you're stronger than the day before.
Look down at those hands, though dried out and tired,
they're the hands that first held those precious babies at your side.
They're the hands that have wiped away a countless amount of tears,
they're hands that can move mountains through every passing year.
They're hands that have held on tight, guiding children as they grow,
they're hands that have released, when it was time for them to go.
Your lips, on some days, may seem to stay in a pout,
questionable are the screams or the words that have come out.
But those lips are special, they've laid out rules, and given advice,
they've kissed boo boos, said "i love yous," and "you'll always be my child."
From your lips came words that your little ones needed to hear,
out came reassurance and comfort when they turned to you with fears.
Your eyes, though tired, and have gone long with little rest,
are the eyes that have watched in vigilance through their lowest and their bests.
Those eyes have cried tears of joy, fear, sorrow, and immense love,
they're eyes that have closed as you prayed for your children to heaven above.
Your ears are ringing from the whines, shrills, screams, and "mo-mmy!",
you have covered them up many times, in a desperate plea.
They have even been the recipients of unkind and hurtful words,
criticism, scoffs, and things you wish you never heard.
But your ears, though ringing, have been blessed to hear a child's first words and shouts,
they're the ears that have listened intently to worries and to doubts.
They've been blessed to hear conversations and laughter in your home.
They're ears that have heard, "I love you, mom" and they remind you you're not alone.
Your feet, at times, seem to drag..slowly here and there,
some days they're like weights, you feel you're not getting anywhere.
Those feet ache, and it seems, many miles they have run,
but as you stepped forward each day, do you realize what you've done?
You have set an example,
you moved bravely and in faith,
with the miles your feet have walked,
you've shown your children the way.
Your heart is feeling tired, and has many times, broken right in half,
from the "no!"s and "i hate you!"s or the fights you have had.
It has experienced heartache, and grief, and stress as it pounds,
for when it comes to your children, they're your heart walking around.
But that heart, oh that heart, it's such a special one,
It's a heart that has strength, it's a heart that has overcome.
It's the heart that accepted the great role to be a mother
An adventure that involves trials and struggles like no other.
Unknown were the hardships and sweet joys ahead,
but your heart made itself ready for the wonderful road it would tread.
Motherhood called you, and your heart took on the call
so that heart, oh that heart, mother, is the strongest part of all.
So look in the mirror, and then see what's within,
see the good that you do, and the love that you bring,
Look at your strength and your courage, true beauty is what you should see,
and know that this, wonderful mother, this is where you are meant to be.
This post originally appeared on www.macdonaldsplayland.com
Pamela Macdonald is a wife, mother, registered nurse, co-founder of the nonprofit organization Project Lead Kindly, and the voice behind Macdonald's Playland. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in the Science of Nursing and worked as a labor & delivery nurse for a few years before trading in her stethoscope for the beautiful & crazy adventures of stay-at-home mommyhood (but that wasn't before she delivered a patient's baby on her own with her bare... okay, they were gloved... hands.) She writes about motherhood, developing talents, finding your true potential, happiness in service and being grateful for the opportunity of picking up and trying again, no matter how many times one may fall.
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