To Mary Emily:
Your words fill my soul, verses touch deep my heart,
though I never did meet you. From earth you'd depart
long ago, when my mother was but a small child,
a towheaded girl who was shy, meek and mild.
As I read through your poems and see your sweet smile
in my mind's eye you're as close as a celestial mile.
Each Mother's Day Phoebe Anna sheds tear after tear.
Her life has shown toughness while her heart's filled with fear
that she will not please you or somehow she'll fail
to be all that she should have, though her life she should hail.
She's accomplished so much. She has given her all.
So many lives she has touched. She's heeded many a call.
She has cared for the sick, given comfort to the lost.
She has given and given, no matter the cost.
She feels deeply what is right and will battle a cause
if it's purpose is just she'll go forth without pause.
I've read through her blessing. There's no question you're here
to guide her and love her and always be near.
Sometimes she forgets, once a Sunday each May,
that her mother's her guardian. Always close you will stay.
To Phoebe Anna:
Her spirit has lingered. Her healing touch isn't far.
She's always been with you. Your sweet heart she'd not mar.
You're her little girl, Annie, and she's guided you 'ere
your whole life has unfolded, longed to braid your young hair.
Her spirit will greet you in celestial glory
when your life you have finished... your saga... your story.
She'll hold you, embrace you, in her eyes'll swell a tear.
She'll look at your face and say, "I'm so glad you're here!
I've missed you, my darling, my sweet little girl.
We'll go now together to greet Father, dear pearl.
I'm proud of you, Annie. You've done a great job
while your world often crumbled and in pain you have sobbed.
Your spirit is strong. You have learned well to give
of yourself and your earthly things. Now in peace you'll live."
Don't fret while on earth. Mom. Mary Emily's not far.
She's always been with you like a bright guiding star.
You've lead me through darkness and heard all my fretting,
my worries, my troubles, my problems forgetting.
You've helped me when sick and I've nursed you well too.
We've argued and quarreled yet our love's strong and true.
I imagine Grandma Mary looks down on us here
and is proud of us, Mom, of this I am sure.
Though some children have strayed, to the truth they've returned.
Their place in eternity is now theirs to earn.
You've built a strong base and have strengthened the walls
of our beliefs and our faith, our courage and religious calls.
We've learned much the hard way and oft you'd need chasten,
but because of your teachings, to the Spirit we now listen.
So please don't you cry, Mom, though Mother's Day's painful.
Your Mom loves you, we love you. Eternity's hopeful.
You'll have all of the blessings that God's promised you,
but don't ever forget, keep learning, growing 'til we're through.
