I Remember Mama A mother's loves a blessing No matter where you roam Love her while she's living For you'll miss her when she's gone Love her as in childhood Tho she's feeble old and gray You'll never miss a mother's love Till she's buried beneath the grave How does one pay tribute to a mother?  Everything a mother stands for - unconditional love, gentle guidance, true friendship.  Someone who devotes her entire life to her child's well-being.  Someone who is always there no matter what else is going on.  Someone who holds endless outstretched arms filled with love and comfort.  Someone who never says "I told you so" even though she did.  Someone who feels and shares your pain as well as your joy.  Someone who knows you inside and out.  And loves every inch of you in spite of yourself.  A mother is soft and hard,  kind and determined, gentle and strong, loving and stern, compassionate and forthright.  She is made up of every emotion and quality that stretches beyond the highest mountain tops.    My mother, Mary, was a woman with "grit".  Her life was not an easy one but you would never guess that if you met her. She was a true lady. Her head always held high with a smile for those she'd pass by.  She was also a woman born before her time. Her gifted mind and hands would design and sew clothing for us.  We would always see them in the department stores the following year. Mary was born during the month of August in 1908.     1908 Magazine Cover She lost her own mother at a young age and had to raise her brothers and sisters, care for her father and, maintain their home.   After she and my father married they opened their home to her father and her young brother. Then she raised her eight daughters and cried as each one married and left home. Mama with her daughters and grandchildren 1950's I remember her spending most of the time in the kitchen busy cooking or baking.     She made the best "Prize Chocolate Cake" in the world and her fudge was simply yummy. She loved children and knew how to create imaginary worlds to play in - a lover of all the fairy tales and children's books. Through the passing years her health declined but not her spirit.  She lived with my sister for many years until she required constant medical care.  During the last months of her life I still recall the smile on her face whenever I stopped at the nursing home to visit.  There she sat so sick and frail but always needing to be reassured that I was okay.  When it was time for me to leave she would be standing at her window smiling and waving goodbye.  My heart ached so.  I didn't want to leave.  If only I had magical powers to restore her health and bring her home.  She closed her eyes for the last time in June 1993. Again I ask - How does one pay tribute to a mother?  Is there anything that could possibly show her how important and special she is?    Each of us, in our own way, holds the answer.  There are songs, poems, movies.  All showing love toward a mother.  I do not believe there is one single answer -  for each mother is unique and loved by her own child.  Myself, the best tribute I can pay is the memories I hold dear and my cherished love for her.  Happy Mother's Day to all mothers everywhere! This is from "Praying Grandmothers" Thank you, Gram, for this lovely Mother's Day gift