A Mother's Prayer and Thanksgivings

For Donna

October 2014

I watch her hands as she holds a kitten, this small ball of fur

 gentle, kind, soothing, loving

I watch her eyes as she sees hurt being born in another

eyes full of compassion, heart full of goodwill

I hear her voice when she talks to a child

lower, quieter, softer

I see her and I think

                These things come from deep inside her

                I did not give these things to her

                These things are all her own

Thank you, Lord.

I watch her manage her household

efficient, purposeful, effective

I see her acknowledge the needs of each of her loves

differentiating, responding, attentive

I watch her organize the spaces her loves occupy

noncritical, understanding, thoughtful

I see her nurturing each of her loves individually

listening, looking into their eyes, holding their hearts

I look at her and I think

These things come from deep inside her

                I did not give these things to her

                These things are all her own

Thank you, Lord.

 I see her at moments when she struggles

focused, praying

I see her in tough situations

thoughtful, prayerful, strong

I see her when obstacles are against her

 brave, not being defeated, drawing strength

I see her when she's uprooted from known safety

courageous, purposeful, forward-looking

I look at her and I think

                These things come from deep inside her

                I did not give these things to her

                These things are all her own

Thank you, Lord.

 I see in her

                a woman I admire

                all I prayed for her

                an enabler of life

                strength for her loves

                all things for which I give thanks

Thank you, Lord

Thank you, Lord

Thank you, Lord