Mother's Worry Lines

Mother dear, I recall the many worry lines upon thy dear face. Oh, that if time I could reverse and them from thy face erase! Forgive me Mother dear if I caused you any undue despair. Forgive me Mother dear if I etched my share of them there! You struggled to see your family through the Great Depression. To see to the needs of your family was thy sole obsession. You saw us through sickness and health - to that I can avow. I know that this alone carved worry lines upon thy brow. In my feckless youthfulness, too many times I let you down. I saw disappointment on thy face and thy disapproving frown. If only I had the power to turn back the clock and erase, Those worry lines that I caused to crease thy noble face. I rue the many times that I gave you unnecessary sass. Those hurtful words from my mouth were so terribly crass. It gives me peace to know God erased those worry lines from your brow, When He welcomed you Home where you rest at peace with Him now! Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired © All Rights Reserved Placed No. 4 in Paula Swanson's "Line" Contest - September 2010