Missing Mom on Mother's Day
Last night, as I was trying to go to sleep, feeling worn out and missing my mother something fierce, I thought of this poem. I thought I would share it with all of you whose mothers are no longer treading earthly soil. While my heart yearns for my mother, I am so thankful for the years I had with her, and I'm even more thankful that because she knew Jesus, as do I, we will see each other again.
Rock Me To Sleep
by Elizabeth Akers Allen (19th century American poet)
Backward, turn backward, O time, in your flight,
Make me a child again just for tonight!
Mother, come back from the echoless shore,
Take me again to your heart as of yore;
Kiss from my forehead the furrows of care,
Smooth the few silver threads out of my hair;
Over my slumbers your loving watch keep;—
Rock me to sleep, Mother—rock me to sleep!
Backward, flow backward, oh, tide of the years
I am so weary of toil and of tears—
Toil without recompense, tears all in vain—
Take them, and give me my childhood again!
I have grown weary of dust and decay—
Weary of flinging my soul-wealth away,
Weary of sowing for others to reap;—
Rock me to sleep, Mother—rock me to sleep!
Tired of the hollow, the base, the untrue,
Mother, O Mother, my heart calls for you!
Many a summer the grass has grown green,
Blossomed and faded, our faces between:
Yet, with strong yearning and passionate pain,
Long I tonight for your presence again.
Come from the silence so long and so deep;—
Rock me to sleep, Mother—rock me to sleep!
Over my heart in the days that are flown,
No love like mother love ever has shown;
No other love abides and endures—
Faithful, unselfish, and patient like yours:
None like a mother can charm away pain
From the sick soul and the world-weary brain.
Slumber’s soft calms o’er my heavy lids creep;—
Rock me to sleep, Mother—rock me to sleep!
Come, let your brown hair, just lighted with gold,
Fall on your shoulders again as of old;
Let it drop over my forehead tonight,
Shading my faint eyes away from the light;
For with its sunny-edged shadows once more
Haply will throng the sweet visions of yore;
Lovingly, softly, its bright billows sweep:—
Rock me to sleep, Mother—rock me to sleep!
Mother, dear Mother, the years have been long
Since I last listened your lullaby song:
Sing, then, and unto my soul it shall seem
Womanhood’s years have been only a dream.
Clasped to your heart in a loving embrace,
With your light lashes just sweeping my face,
Never hereafter to wake or to weep;
Rock me to sleep, Mother—rock me to sleep!
ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
Mary, My Mom died in October 1989...its been a many of Mother' Day's that I have not had her here.
I use to get upset and cry on this day.
I do not do this any more...
Reason is simple. My Mother was special there was not a sinlgle day that made her more speical then the next. I honor her everyday...not just May 10. When I speak the truth as she taught me I honor her...when I sew something either by hand or by machine ..I honor her....When I give to others and dig deep in to my pocket to give someone my last penny.....I honor her.
For those who have to buy flowers and cards one special day..they have forgotten just what this day is about...TO HONOR THY MOTHER AND FATHER...should be an everyday occurance.....not some day that a mechandiser has made..
hugs to ya
Initial consult 7/31/08 Surgery date 10/9/08
Blessings,
Mary
ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
We used to joke our family was Carol-land (Mom's name was Carol) and we all just lived there. We even joked about getting t-shirts made up and we all had jobs--my Dad was the Chief Financial Officer and I was the Chief Medical officer and hiney wiper! Mom fought ovarian cancer for 5 years and I took off work to help her and Dad out.
Thanks again Mary! I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day even though you were missing your Mother!
Cancer took my mother, too, although it was only 2 months from diagnosis to death. I was blessed to be with her for the last 2 weeks. What a brave woman.
I love "Carol-land." How fun. She would want all of you to continue on, of course. I know you're all doing your best. Time passes, and that helps. I bet you feel her presence at different times. I know I do, with my mother. Sometimes I hear her voice, carried by the wind. Maybe it's just because I want to. Even though it seems like SO LONG since I've touched her, talked with her, one day I'll be with her in light of Eternity, and this life will be only a quick moment in time. We'll have all of eternity. Blessed hope. :)
Thanks for reading and replying. The poem is very old (from the mid-1800s, if I recall), but it speaks to me. I pray your Mother's Day was loving, as was mine.
Blessings,
Mary
ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach