A Daughter's Heart On Mother's Day

Mother, sometimes memories are fraught with tears or pain Relationship was difficult, and held a heavy strain I know your life was busy, you had a lot to do With all of your commitments, and only one of you I know with all your children, there was bound to be A special golden child or two, and though that was not me I understand the conflicts of our personalities Could present some problems, and prove difficulties When it comes to Mother's Day, Those cards don't quite seem right And often I would forfeit those, And set my heart to write I know if there was 'Child's Day' What, if you wrote, you'd probably say And would I want to truly read That I was lacking much indeed Or would you pen some flowery word When case in point, I'd know absurd? But all these years now, past life's end I've truly wished we had been friends Those plays, I'd played You'd never seen The concerts, choirs, in which I'd been You held your stance, and wouldn't budge I'd sought your glance, and held a grudge You were sad I wasn't Joe..... You told me this, so 'Betty "Jo" Was not the Prize this infant brought You made sure, I'd not forgot Nor was I a flowery girl, who'd set a mother's heart to whirl For tomboy, I? A thing or two I was a girl, but a strong one too Helping daddy build that shed And lifting weights?! Oh dear, what dread. But Mother, now as I look back Relationship, and to the lack That I must have myself presented And with that, you, my mom resented Remembering now sweet things you did When I was just a little kid You packed my lunch each day for school Our home was tidy, clean by rule You loved my daddy dear and so You gave my name, that gift of 'Jo' I'm sending thoughts, up heaven's way I pray my prayers, that some gold day... When the dead are raised anew My Mother, that, one day with you You'll find in me the truest joy Though girl I be, and not your boy And somehow all the pain and dread And all those golden words unsaid Of the pain, all ills and strife Swallowed, passed... To onward Life Thank you for sweet things you did Now, Mother, beg I, plead and bid That Father God would grant thee pay And wish you "Happy Mother's Day" To you in heaven From one of seven (For Johnny was your baby too Not from your womb... Thought 'Mom' of you...) By the way, please tell him "hi' Love, Betty Jo From Earth... to sky All my love and prayers Your Betty Jo