It's important to note that my mother is not the same person she was when I was small.  Thanks to Christ, she changed.  In later years she worked to make up for her lack of mothering in earlier years.  And I am grateful.   

To Mom on Her Birthday

I sit here gazing upon
a stack of plastic drawers
that hold all manner
of strange things--
nail files,
dental floss,
makeup,
and bottles
of travel-size toiletries.

And I think of your generosity
that saw what was needed
during an awful move
and went out and bought
the organizing drawers
to quell the impending chaos
when there was no one else
who could or would.  

And I thank God
for your many grace-filled gifts
as unnoticed and ubiquitous
as Kmart storage bins
that have ordered a messy life
always on the move
so that I could travel well
and arrive well-groomed.

           © 2010 Tess Lockhart. All rights reserved.