Hi Mum
I cleaned out the old cupboard yesterday
A cupboard where stuff from over the years
Had been had been dumped and much forgotten.
In an old Sunbeam iron box I found all your sympathy cards
Dad had put them away, stored in this box, forgotten
until I pulled the box down and opened it.
He must not have been able to part with them,
So they stayed in this box, safe and secure
These past thirty years.
I’m not so sure he received as many,
You were well known, loved and highly thought of
The cards said it all, the shock of your untimely death.
I looked at each card trying in some cases to remember
The names the people who lived in your life
So many I know are no longer here.
I decided that after all this time and with so many
No longer alive that I would return then to the earth
I thought it would be an act of closure for me.
But it generated so many memories
So many regrets, I never felt I took time to know you
You were in so many ways an enigma to us all.
But I do remember your letters, the one phone call,
The one I made to see how you were
A week before you left me.
You gave me so much I now know of
You imbued in me generosity, charity,
A love of people and family.
I am often so sad thinking about what you have missed
We kids growing up and having our own families
Dad getting to be the beautiful old man he became.
And all these amazing grandkids who have been deprived
Of knowing you, and you them
I know they would have loved their Nanna.
Like me, you would have been so proud of them,
All twelve of them are remarkable people,
So amazing in their own special ways.
And after all these years, your photo still adorns this house
Those photos of the young you, forever smiling back at me
Will stay where they are, as long as I am here.
I can say now I wish I had been a better son
It’s easy in hindsight, to see where I could have been better
That I might have given you more time.
But I have only lovely memories of you
The breakfasts you cooked me, every morning before school
The information you so readily shared
World events, the famous dying, the tennis on the radio
The evenings where you imposed the rosary on me
On my knees night after night, never a reprieve.
And now all these years later, I recall
You cared for me, knew me much better than I did you,
I miss you mum,
I still love you.
Morpethroad 
Such a touching tribute to your mom. 🙂
Thank you Anja, it’s taken me along time to write about her.
We do things when we can. 🙂
Yes so right. Thank you so much.
Welcome
Oh Michael, this brought tears early in the morning, this is simply… I can understand how hard it must have been for you to write it. Your love for her shines through as she does watching you from where she is. Yes, photos will remain to remind you of your love and the relationship you had with her…remember her footprint on this earth was made and her footprint will forever remain in your heart. Beautifully written my dear friend.
Thank you Jenny. It came out like it did and I am so pleased I was able to get it all down. Thank you again.
and I see so much the similarity between you and her 🙂
Its the hair isn’t it.
noooooooo
How delightful!! 🙂 🙂
Thank you so much.
Such a wonderful poem and a lovely tribute to your mum.
Thanks Al, you have a good day/evening.
You too 🙂
This was absolutely beautiful, Michael. My Mum died almost 30 years ago, and I still have days where I’ll hear something, or see something, and think, “I must tell Mum about that.” They never truly die while we’re still alive.
Thank you Lyn, despite the passing of the years our parents still live with us. Thank you again for that lovely comment.
What a most touching post.
Love the photo of your mom. She looks beautiful & the twinkle in her eyes show the beauty inside too.
May your mom continue to rest in peace.
{Hugs}
Thank you RoSy. I think she would be very chuffed to think after all these years she is still loved and that I could write about her as i did. Thanks RoSy.
What a most touching memory.. and what a delightful memory to keep.. those letters coming back like that.
Thanks Bjorn yes they do,help to remember the past.
What a beautiful letter to your mom! I cannot relate to having a relationship like that, but what a blessing! Your Mum’s picture is just stunning! Happiness is written all over her face 🙂 Thank you for sharing something so heartfelt.
Thank you Serena for reading my post. As I said above I have only one other piece about my mother. But you don’t forget.
No, you don’t ever forget. I was raised by my grandmother and not a day passes that I don’t think about her 🙂
Thank you you never forget.
Ouf!! Michael, this is so beautiful and touching! I’m on my break at work and sniff sniff, can hardly see what I type. I hope you find some memories from that box to write a few stories or poems. Bless you and thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute to your Mum. Oliana xx
Thank you so much Oliana, its taken me a long time to write about her.