A tribute to my mother
She was a living example of personified grace
impeccably dressed and vain to a degree
with hazel gray eyes and a pleasant face
with hands that worked hard
and had many jobs.
When I was a child, sick or hurting
it was her hands that comforted my brow,
and it was her hands that guided
direction when firmly felt
affirming her place.
And when we were hungry
it was her hands
that prepared great meals
satisfying all, but all wanting more.
With her hands she taught me how to sew
when I didn’t want to learn,
and taught me how to cook and bake.
She taught me to be gracious,
and taught me how to pray,
how to be thankful for my blessings,
for simple gifts, large and small
and how to reach out to those in love
with kindness and a smile
how to be content with things I already had
and share with those who had much less
For all the things she was to me
and for all I learned from her
I thank God for the mother
I honor today.
____________
Joyce E. Johnson – 2013
Winifred D. Mielke – Mannhalter
September 17, 1917 – July 17, 2009
Reflections 