Bless you dear friends…am super-excited. My dear mum is 80 this Saturday. 80! WOW! Isn’t that something? Please join me in wishing mum Happy 80th Birthday Wishes. Can you sense my joy? Here’s a picture of Mum and I taken at Hasina’s (my eldest daughter) graduation, 2012. Mum doesn’t like taking out photos, so this is a rare one to share.
Mum and dad have worked hard all their life and even today, although retired, my parents still play a very active part in mine and my girls’ life. Without mum and dad holding my space and being there, I would of surely crumbled during the darker days of my divorce.
Happy 80th Birthday Wishes
Today’s post is a poem I wrote, for mum as she grieved the lost of her only son, John. It isn’t a celebratory poem, yet it is one of mum’s favourites as it reminds her of John. John was only 36 and his death was sudden and totally out-of the blue.
It was a hard time for our family and everyone was affected. I turned to writing as my way of coping and trying to lift mum’s spirits. Today’s poem is one of mum’s favourite – Your Hand-In-Mine and one that she said “kept her going” during those sad days.
No parent should bury their child and how mum and dad got through is a miracle. Although today is mum’s “Happy 80th Birthday Wishes” celebration, I’m mindful of the journey mum has travelled to achieve her “five year plan” and would like to share this poem which means so much to her.
Happy 80th Birthday Wishes Poem For My Mum
Your Hand In Mine
Mother’s hands
Born so strong and straight
now crinkled and cracked
Through the cares of life.
Mother’s heart
Born so pure,
now heavy through the winds of wars.
Oh Mother, Oh Mother, Oh Mother of Mine,
Weep not
For your tears cannot bring him back.
Just look inside and you’ll find sunshine where rain used to be.
Keep looking and praying
In the church or kitchen floor.
For in time, the sun will shine again
And you’ll be glad you “smiled through the rain”.
Mother Dear, Mother Dear
Look neither to the left nor to the right
For your son will not be there.
Just keep your heart focused on the Lord
And you will surely find him there.
********
I wrote lots of poems during my grief, and for some reason this was one mum always read, which gave her comfort and reminds me of the fragility –and strength, of life.
Closing Reflections
YES!!!!
Mum made it through all the hard times in her life and in 3 days times, we will be celebrating her 80th Birthday. The girls are coming down for the weekend from uni and mum’s friends and family-friends will be here. It is going to be a right knees-up — especially as one of my aunts is bringing her home made wine! I’m happy and looking forward to seeing mum smile and be with her friends.
A Request
When you wake up on Saturday, please hold my mum and all mums in the world –past and present in your heart and give thanks for their life. Mega thanks.
Namaste
Ntathu
p.s. And if you enjoyed this post, please share it: Give it a +1, “Like it on Facebook”, Tweet it on Twitter– or, if you’re feeling generous, all three! Thank you.
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