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Saturday, May 7, 2011

Your Lifetime Gift to Me

Over at One Stop Poetry they have given us poets the opportunity to honor some especially fabulous women today...  Happy Mother's Day to all the moms...

I wrote this poem six years ago for a very special lady who has been like a mother to me through the years.  She was an important part of my life for a number of years while my mom was still around and our relationship grew even more important after my real mom passed.  I gave this poem to her twenty years after writing another for her.  I don't think she would mind if I shared it here with you all.  To all the mothers out there, I hope this Mother's Day is especially special for you and your loved ones.

Your Lifetime Gift to Me

When I think of a mother and the child held in her arm,
I think of times spent with you – my special times safe from harm.
Much of my early childhood, it was spent in so much fear,
But time I got to spend with you – was time of joy and cheer.

You offered time in your home, time I did not understand,
I wondered why you would give so much, but no reprimand.
Before that, it was like hanging at the end of my rope,
But you came into my life and with time, you gave me hope.

You offered a world so different than the one I’d known,
A world I knew I liked, but had never before been shown.
With that world came many things, but mostly moments of calm,
Of course, learning the love of God, as spoken in the psalm.

You gave me acceptance, direction, challenges and more,
You opened my world, in my heart a hole you could have tore.
You were gentle and kind, all things I should have understood,
And asked only of me – that I give you whatever I could.

As I look now, to the significant times in my life,
Many a moment filled with love, some moments full of strife.
Since the day I met you, somehow, you have always been there,
And I thank God for all these times we were able to share.

God gave me a wonderful gift, he brought you to my door,
“My life has been a life of dreams,” as stated once before.
All my thanks to you for the world you were willing to show,
Because of many things you did, I was able to grow.

A very special mother’s love, your lifetime gift to me,
Has been an inspiration I want everyone to see.
A “pedestal” for you, not in my eyes, or maybe so,
I am forever thankful and just wanted you to know.

Phyllis, “Mom,” I love you and I am forever thankful
For your lifetime gift to me.

Petrina Lesko
May 2005 

40 comments:

Unknown said...

Orchestrated a beautiful melody and esteem. It also reflects nicely how a mother relationship is not singular in its definition. Lovely ~ Rose

Unknown said...

=') awe, SO touching... I really can't say wonderful this is, honestly.. true words from the heart, & beautifully put in this poem..

Kodjo Deynoo said...

"When I think of a mother and the child held in her arm,I think of times spent with you – my special times safe from harm" this is gratitude at the highest

ayala said...

Beautiful and touching....

Brian Miller said...

smiles. this is beautiful...and i am glad you went with one that was like a mother to you because in many ways they may go unsung today...

Glynn said...

Two things: (1) She sounds like a wonderful lady, and (2) you honored her with your poem. Both beautiful things.

Maggie said...

I'm so glad you had her in your life, Petrina.

Thank-you for sharing such a wonderful gift.

Marlene said...

Beautiful Tribute to a lady that sounds like someone I wish I'd known.

Claudia said...

i also think it's a very special gift if we meet people that are like mothers for us...beautiful ode to this lady..

gautami tripathy said...

So much love. You are blessed to have her in your life...

let it be forever

Crystal said...

So beautiful and such a tribute! Your "mother" who mothered you through love and not duty is truly a god-given treasure.

Anonymous said...

How fortunate you are to have such a loving "mother". And what a sweet tribute you wrote for her. Thanks for sharing, Petrina.

trisha said...

sometimes we meet such persons, who become just like our own parents.

a blessing for a beautiful soul.

loved the poem and the true affection in it.

Helena White said...

Wonderful and beautiful Tribute!

˙·٠•●♥ Hɑppɣ Møtɦɛяṡ Daɣ ♥●•٠·˙

Elizabeth Rose Stanton said...

So heartfelt. Wonderful post for Mother's Day!

Friko said...

I am glad you were able to give it to her. So often we miss the moment and only do something special when the opportunity has gone forever.

Anonymous said...

Glad God gave you someone so special...

Louise said...

Beautiful sentiment, a lovely tribute to her ~ a real tenderness in your poetry.. :)

Jenne' R. Andrews said...

Lovely and as Louise said, tender-- xj

Anonymous said...

Lovely choice of words you used in the stanza here, conveys the warmth and tenderness in the poem.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Petrina. Thank you for sharing and reminding us not all the Mothers in our lives borne us.

Padmavani said...

I love the way you spell out the why's. All that she did and said and was to you...beautiful.
Wish you the best Petrina.
Padmavani

John (@bookdreamer) said...

a light in the darkness

Mystic Margarita said...

Beautiful poem. You're lucky to have a mom like her.

Anonymous said...

I felt Inspired after reading your poem. Am glad to know you thank God for your mother too.

Sheila said...

I love this esp. because it is the first one I've read that was written about someone who is "like a mom" I have 2 special ladies in my life that have "mothered" me in a ways that as a child my mom couldn't. God always provides, doesn't he? :)

Linda Hensley said...

This is beautiful. It reminds me of my own "Phyllis". We were lucky to have such wonderful women in our lives, especially when "Much of my early childhood, it was spent in so much fear". Sometimes we don't get what we need where we're supposed to get it, but sometimes we get it when we need it.

Unknown said...

I love the appreciation in this poem. Thank you for sharing! :D

anthonynorth said...

The feeling oozes out of this. Beautiful.

mindsinger said...

Thank you for sharing you 'safe place' with us!

Anonymous said...

This is a wonderful tribute; words that will be held aloft to the heaven for angels to hear. Lovely.
Thank you for you kind words on my blog earlier today, much appreciated.

Anonymous said...

Beautifully put! And a wonderful token of gratitude spun with wonderfully talented hands.Loved it!

Anonymous said...

wonderful! i love how God puts people in our lives like that when they are needed, especially in a child's life. she was like an angel on earth for you, and that is so awesome.

Folkways Note Book said...

So touching. Such words certainly mean so much to your friend -- barbara

Unknown said...

wonderful poem....very touching....perfect!!!

NatureFootstep said...

thank you for visiting NatureFootstep!

Shanae Branham said...

This is a beautiful tribute. I am glad I stopped by today.
Cheers,
Shanae
My Blog

Unknown said...

how are you?

always enjoyed your writing, keep it up.

check out short story slam and make a submission today.

Dear Fireflies said...

Hello. I'm glad you came to visit my blog, thank you for that. Now I can return the visit and read so many of your touching words. This is one very beautiful poem, I'm sure it brought tears to your friend's eyes. :) ox

Liz Rice-Sosne said...

Tears ... you were really lucky to have her and this is a beautiful tribute. I want to follow you but cannot see the Blogger Follower thing?