"Her children arise and call her blessed ..." (Proverbs 31:28 TNIV).

Part of my mother’s legacy to us was a collection of her poems. I discovered this treasure when I shared a poem I had written about turning 50 with Mother. Afterward, Mother read a poem that she had written about turning 70 the previous week. I’d never really heard the voice of this poem, as Mother expressed some of her inner-most thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. Later that day, I wrote another poem ("Connecting") about that experience.

Happy birthday, Mother! We miss you!!! 

Connecting

Turning 50, turning 70;
Sharing our poems, feeling crazy!
Can it be? She really “gets it”?
Listening to her words; I can’t believe it!

So many years disconnected;
No one understands; feeling rejected.
Suddenly, like an epiphany,
She finally relates to me!

“That’s really wonderful, Mother,
Would you mind reading another?”
Line upon line, word after word,
A silent voice that I’d never heard.

Who is this woman who gave me life?
I’d never realized her pain and strife.
But through her poems at last I see,
My mother, my friend for eternity.

© 2003 Karen Jordan

Photo/TaraRoss

Can you recall a special moment of "connecting" with your mother?