My Mama

My mama taught me:

Saturday mornings are for sleeping in

and writing a check still works just fine.

Your library card's the most important card we own,

how to scrapbook and hold a kid on a hip,

that an old coffee can can be a bucket for sand

and how to make a home wherever you land.

She showed me:

the secret to flipping pork chops

and how to get a crumble just right on your pie.

That even she moved around a lot

she could build a family that stayed in place,

that writing a note and sending it in the mail

is something one grieving can hold on to

and that this small act “is the least we can do.”

She brought me:

to Girl Scout meetings and dentist appointments,

cross country races and orchestra concerts,

to study groups and to faith formation.

She brought me soup when I was sick and

sandwiches in the delivery room,

time when I needed it and rest when she read it,

stories of her past, and stories that would last.

She told me:

“Honey it will all work out in the end,”

and “It’s ok to have 5 books going at once.”

“I made you a plate,” and “Don’t stay up too late.”

“Always tidy a room before you leave it,” and

“Wait till it goes on sale- don’t be afraid to return it.”

She always told me “I'm so proud of you,” and

“Whatever you want to- you can do.”