A MOTHER'S VOW

She held me then and holds me now,
With this as her devoted vow:

In good times and in bad,
she gave it all she had.

To have and to hold,
she held me as she told
of all that’s possible in life
no matter the hardship or the strife.

On occasions when I cried,
my tears she quickly dried.
The harder I wept
the closer I was kept
in arms small but strong
that seemed to right all the wrong.

For better or worse,
she saw the blessing in each curse.

For richer or poorer,
she gave reason to adore her.
And adore her, I do.
A vow I daily renew.

"I dedicate this poem, this vow, to my mother who taught me the sanctity of words and the of strength of will. She showed by example that borders of potential are as wide as you push them. Possibilities are as close as you pull them. And in her tireless pushing and pulling with confidence and commitment, she taught me not to fear failure. In loss, there is always something to gain. It is this perspective that preserves something so fragile and yet so powerful. That something is hope. Thank you, Mom, for giving me enduring hope and the capacity to love and trust without fear." -AM