Rocked Us Gently
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Her long silken hair has thinned and turned to grey.
Brother, if we keep trying, I know we can find a way
to keep Mum safe at home, so she need never fear.
I don't want to send her away. I want her to stay near.
Sis, Mum can't even remember who her children are.
We can't take good care of her since we live in cities afar.
Her memories are disappearing. We're just strangers.
If we allow her to live all by herself she'll be in danger.
Chorus:
She rocked us gently upon her knee
Now she's the one who needs care
On Mum's destiny we need to agree
It's a hard decision we both must bear
All of her life Mum has carefully looked after us.
Please, don't be stubborn and let's not make a fuss.
Can't you see, now it's our turn to do the same?
I don't even care if she can't remember my name.
I swear I'm not being stubborn. I love Mum as much as you.
This isn't easy on either of us, but please think this through.
Sis, you know we need to consider her health and well being.
I have a family of my own and to their needs I must be seeing.
She rocked us gently upon her knee
Now she's the one who needs care
On Mum's destiny we need to agree
It's a hard decision we both must bear
I know your family should come first, but she's our Mother.
She's always been there for us when we needed her, Brother.
I will never agree to put her in a home and just lock her away,
so I'm offering to move back in with her to be there every day.
I'm not sure that you understand the commitment of that task.
You won't have a life of your own, this burden of you I can't ask.
You know I will help when ever I can, but promises I can't make.
Just be sure what you're giving up is not more than you can take.
She rocked us gently upon her knee
Now she's the one who needs care
On Mum's destiny we need to agree
It's a hard decision we both must bear
When I search her distant eyes, I see love and trust looking back.
I promise she'll know that she's loved; there is nothing she will lack.
I feel her slipping further away from us when I take her fragile hand,
so will you agree to let her stay at home; will you try to understand?
You make an unselfish offer, Sister. It's one I would never ignore.
It makes me feel wretched with guilt, I really wish I could do more.
I'm not finding fault with you, Brother. Can we please give this a try?
We want to see smiles on Mum's face, and not give her reason to cry.
She rocked us gently upon her knee
Now she's the one who needs care
On Mum's destiny, at last we agree
She'll not leave her own rocking chair
__________________
January 7th 2016
Write Me a Duet
Sponsor Heather Ober
Copyright © Lin Lane | Year Posted 2016
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