Her face lights up.

She reaches down

to touch the face of the small bundle.

To think, that she had a part in creating this. 

She smiles.

Gently, she wipes a tear from her eye.

Oh the joy, of being a mother.

 

She waves goodbye

 from the front seat of the car.

The small figure in the distance,

off to kindergarten. 

She waits the long four hours,

pacing the floor, 

trying to busy herself.

She waits at the door

of the brightly lit classroom.

Arms embrace her in a warm hug.

A bundle of energy rejoins her.

Oh the joy, of being a mother.

 

The porch light is on.

She waits up by the light of television screen.

She hears the car in the drive,

bracing herself for the sound of the slamming door.

A teenage form unlocks the door, rushing into the kitchen,

bursting with details of a first date.

She listens silently, with a smile on her face.

As she rises before heading off to bed,

she gently kisses the cheek of her beloved daughter.

Oh the joy, of being a mother.

 

The bags are unpacked, the room is set up.

They have searched the campus high and low together.

An all day event, the dorm room is now complete,

ready for all-night study sessions, meals of ramen noodles, and friendly conversations.

She waits at the door, tears in her eyes.

The last hug was long and bittersweet. 

She waved goodbye, looking back down the hall.

It would only be a few weeks, she told herself. 

She knew that her daughter was ready to face the world.

Oh the joy, of being a mother.

 

She waited at the steps to the church,

the sun shining on her face. 

The veil was in place, the train perfectly laid out.

The white gown sparkled in the light.

She held her daughter's hand as they ascended the steps.

They embraced briefly as the doors open.

Whispering in her ear, "I love you" 

Oh the joy, of being a mother.

 

She struggled to catch her breath,

barely managing the words that tumbled from her lips.

"I love you so much." 

The daughter wept by her side, 

clutching her frail hand tightly.

She gave the hand a small squeeze,

and weakly smiled. 

She closed her eyes, 

breathing deeply. 

Oh the joy, of being a mother.