A Good Mother

A Good Mother . . . 

Is Strict

Especially compared to "everyone else's mother"

She expects FULL potential and won't settle for anything less

Is Soft

Generous with praise when she catches her children doing something right

She feels and shares happiness and pain EVERY DAY of her children's lives

Is the resident Cook, Cleaning Lady, Laundress

She provides a balanced diet, a roof over her children's heads and clean sheets to crawl into at night without expecting to be appreciated

Directs her children along the right path

Yet provides a bottomless well of forgiveness and beacon of light when they wander down the wrong one 

Is Quick to go "Without" 

So her children can have what they need

Provides a Soft Lap, Strong Back, Sympathetic Ears and Loving Arms

Loves Unconditionally

It need not be acquired and often when undeserved

Speaks from Experience, Wisdom, Love and Hope

And sometimes with silence

Cares how her children turn out

And doesn't just wait for them to get out.

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.  ~Washington Irving

My mother is all things and more.  She has shown me that it is possible to love truly, deeply, unconditionally.  She has been my Cheerleader, Guidance Counselor, and sometimes my Punching Bag.  She has not only been there for me all my life, but she has welcomed all that I have brought home with open arms and limited judgement.  

I cannot express how Thankful I am for my Mother.  

I can only hope that I have turned into the woman she has dreamt of me being and that I can be half of the Mother to my Cherubs that she has been to me.

I Love You Mom