Time To Go In Loving Memory of My Mother

My mom was a strong woman, and stubborn too, Yet she had a soft side, between me and you. That side she would show, when you least expected, But let me tell you, she was well respected. Mom was quite unique, and was one of a kind, She was set in her ways, so keep that in mind. The youngest of nine, she had gotten her way, Spoiled by her siblings’, almost every day. Right out of high school, she had married my dad, Blessed with three children, plus fifty years they had. They both were hard workers, in all that they did, My dad taught himself, from when he was a kid. My mom was a smoker, for forty-six years, Some day it would happen, she’d face all her fears. Lung cancer she had, and inoperable too, Her time on this earth, would be shortened we knew. Radiation and Chemo, had done their thing, Remission set in, tears of joy it did bring. We would go out at night, to shop and to talk, I knew she enjoyed, getting out for a walk. Two years had gone by, after Thanksgiving Day, Her pain had returned, but was afraid to say. She’d lie on the couch; it was strength she did lack, We knew in our hearts, that the cancer came back. We shared lots of laughter, but many a tear, I tried to assure her, she’d nothing to fear. “Please watch over your dad, this one thing I ask.” “I know it will be, quite a difficult task.” One morning in March, Hospice called us to say, You may want to come, for she’s slipping away. For the night before, mom told me to stay home, “Be there for your kids, you can call me by phone.” When we all arrived, for a moment she woke, Her eyes said it all, not a word had she spoke. We stayed by her bedside, just holding her hand, “It’s time to let go mom, we all understand”. A few days had passed, not ready to let go, For it had been raining, but letting up slow. The sun began shining, the clouds disappeared, Opening the heavens, for mom’s time has neared. We gathered together, her forehead we kissed, Whispering so softly, how much she’d be missed. “Your time has arrived mom, just follow the light”, She left us so peaceful, she gave up her fight. It was time to drive home, in the car we got, Then something had happened, while leaving the lot. Huge drops of rain falling, it had to be fate. They were tears of joy; she was at heaven’s gate.