Happy Mother's Day

Dear Mom,

Sunday was our first Mother's Day without you. I would have written you then, but I was trying my best not to think about it.

As I wrote an article about the importance of a Mother's role in society, I thought of you the whole time.

You were always strong, independent, and proud. Yet, you possessed a vulnerability that was evident when a soft word from the heart was spoken to you. Your heart would melt and the tears would flow.

There's a song by a Christian artist, sung many years ago. The artist's name is Twila Paris. The song reminds me of how you always were. It is called The Warrior is a Child.

Lately I've been winning battles left and right

But even winners can get wounded in the fight

People say that I'm amazing, Strong beyond my years

But they don't see inside of me I'm hiding all the tears

And they don't know that I go running home when I fall down

They don't see who picks me up when no one is around

I drop my sword and cry for just a while

Cause deep inside this armor, the warrior is a child

Unafraid because his armor is the best

But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest

People say that I'm amazing; never face retreat

But they don't see the enemies that lay here at my feet

And they don't know that I go running home when I fall down

They Don't see who picks me up when no one is around

I drop my sword and cry for just a while

'Cause deep inside this armor,

Deep inside this armor,

Deep inside this armor,

The warrior is a child.

Through your tough life, you endured untold pain and suffering. As I ponder all you'd been through, it fills me with melancholy to imagine your loneliness in this world. Your struggles to get ahead, financially, in this impossible world. Your tough-as-nails determination that if you were down, you'd never stay that way. It is an inspiration to me, this day.

But in all of the cumbersome battles that you faced, you never hardened your heart. Though certain attitudes may have changed, you never ceased to be impenetrable. Though weary of the battle, you were willing to fight on.

And you never ceased to be a child inside. Tender, caring, innocent in so many ways. I wouldn't trade you for a million others.

Happy Mother's Day.

Darren