31/07/2024
Today I celebrate the birthday of the greatest woman I was fortunate to have in my 65 years on this planet.
Iona Ilene McGregor, my mother , my confidant, and my friend.
I wrote the first poem after her death, I have missed seeing her. and talking to her on the phone. She was a great listener, and a truthful confidant especially when you didn't really want to hear her message.
The second poem was written to commemorate Mother's Day, but the words are so true of this great and living woman.
Happy birthday Mom!
Our Mother’s Hands
Our Mother’s delicate hands first touched us all,
From her womb to this world we each answered the call,
Darlene then James, to have one of each,
Next Alfred, and Heather, gave her two more to teach.
Janet came early, and I arrived very late,
Mom had great patience for what God put on her plate,
She was the best backseat driver that this world has seen,
A great memory for stories and places she had been.
Our Mother’s timely words would often fix,
Life’s challenges, setbacks, and nasty tricks,
But she also set us straight if she thought we were wrong,
Her life taught us purpose, and how best to get along.
Our Mother’s actions would comfort our aches,
She showed us how to love and to learn from mistakes,
To forgive and forget was her motto in life,
And she always displayed grace when coping with strife.
Our Mother’s love and kindness like a beacon shone bright,
If ever facing life’s darkness, she was the one constant light,
A light that extended to our friends, doll’s and pets,
She taught us to live fully and bear no regrets.
Our Mom’s tired hands had finally gave way,
So she reached up to Dad’s to hear him affectionately say,
“What took you so long Dummy, I’ve been waiting for years”,
While Darlene James and Al stood beside them choking back tears.
It’s our Mother’s life we best remember in each our own way,
That she would ask us to be happy as we gather today,
To share her life’s stories with a smile on our face,
As she awaits patiently up in heaven saving us our place.
Only Our Mothers
They seem to always know when we hurt inside,
Even times when admission is adamantly denied,
The Mom vault secures secrets we quietly confide,
Including past foolish mistakes that we want to hide.
She reminds us to look for silver linings in all situations,
To politely listen to what others add to conversations,
Mothers offer us safe spots to vent amidst frustrations,
Cautioning certainty of facts before presenting allegations.
Mama’s have ways of making foods seem so better in taste,
Reinventing meal options so leftover morsels don't go to waste,
Creating new foods and recipes that are eagerly embraced,
Providing plenty of portions until our hunger’s been erased,
Its Mothers and Grandmothers that we acknowledge today,
To honour their contributions yearly on the second Sunday in May,
Thinking of their quiet measures of the loving roles they portrayed,
Retaining that place in our heart that forever they will stay.
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Dedicated to my Mom Iona Ilene McGregor
May9th/2021
