My Mother, My Friend

by Maryanne

You held my hand as we crossed the street
And you tried to tie shoes on my small, wiggly feet.
 
When I was little you had my whole heart
It was me that aged…and then pulled apart.
 
I wanted my space, my independence
But it wasn’t a wall, just a temporary fence.
 
I wish I would’ve showed you how much I cared
And told you the things that I never had dared.
 
I watched you work hard and scrimp and save
And paint on a smile when you’d had a bad day.
 
I should have stopped and hugged you more
I should have been willing to learn from your lore.
 
We had so many years behind the same walls
So many opportunities…dropped and let fall.
 
I remember watching you read and draw
I wanted to see the world that you saw.
 
You molded and shaped me and did all you could
To help me be happy and do what I should.
 
There were those times we didn’t see eye to eye
Times you felt inadequate no matter how hard you tried.
 
But the older I get, the more that I see
That so much of your love was invested in me.
 
I couldn’t see all of your inner struggles
Or count the tasks you were made to juggle.
 
I loved you then and I love you now
And I’ll be better at showing you how.
 
I’ll hold your hand as we cross the street
I’ll help tie the shoes on your tired, worn feet.
 
I don’t have the words to exactly express
All in my heart without making a mess
 
Thank you Mom for all you impart
You held my hand, and now you hold my heart.