To Mom...with love.

You laid down your dreams

To pick mine up

And make them yours

You poured out your love

Holding nothing back

So that I could grow

Despite it all, I struggle to be free

From the confines

Of your sheltering arms

Yet, you are scared to let me walk away

For you know the ease

With which my heart will break

It's okay, I say,

It'll be alright

You know I'm tough

But you know better 

So you spend your days

Begging God to hold me close 

'Cause in your eyes

I'm still your little girl

Although I feel I'm growing old

And, as I walk away, all you can do is 

Wait for the blow to fall

And pray desperately that it will not

So when my heart is shattered

By the handsome boy

You knew would come along

It comes as no surprise to you
But it still pains your tender heart
To hear me cry myself to sleep at night

And though you try to comfort me with words

Of wisdom and love

I pull away

Too hurt to bear the sadness

That I see

Mirrored in your eyes

But, though I cringe at your sympathy,

I am reminded of how deeply

You have always loved me

Despite my resentful eyes

And sharp, tired words

You are always there

My anger and frustration

All my bitterness and hurt

Will never succeed in driving you away

My strongest advocate

My most loyal friend

My lovely, loving mother