She wanted me so desperately

That she  ignored doctors' recommendations to abort me

She didn't care if I'd be born missing limbs or MRDD 

She'd love me fully and risked her life to give me mine

From the beginning

Mother's sacrifice

 

She worked 3rd shift care-giving in nursing homes 

Cleaned rooms and did laundry at the local hotel

So that our family could live well 

She made sure we had all that we needed

And made Christmas magic more times than I can count

While never spending a dime on herself 

Wearing other's hand me downs

She put herself last every time

Mother's sacrifice

 

As a teenager I fought to be free

While she fought for my safety 

She'd check out my stories 

And thwart me time after time 

All in an effort to protect me

And I'd rage at her 

Condemn her, say I hated her 

 

She held strong 

Taking all I could dish 

She must have been tempted to give in

Just to be in my good graces again

But she didn't, she stayed the course

Taking my tantrums and 

Teenage dramatics  as best she could 

All for me, though at sixteen I didn't understand 

The strength it took to save me 

I had no comprehension of her position

And I didn't understand 

The price she paid in heartache

Mother's sacrifice 

 

I moved out at seventeen 

Determined to taste freedom 

But every time I fell behind

She was there to save me 

And still to this day

She is always there

Always helping no matter the price

Mother's sacrifice 

 

The years have passed quickly by

A bond was build between mother and child

And I can see all it took and all she did 

All for me

And I see

Mother's Sacrifice

 

Now it's me 

Holding my world in my arms 

Going without the most basic things

So that my son has all that he needs

Knowing I'd give my very soul 

To keep my son healthy and safe

So willing to make

A mother's sacrifice

 

I scrimp and save the whole year long 

Hitting the sales racks, buying a year in advance

So that Christmases will shimmer like magic 

In his memories 

Just as my mother did for me

 

And the time will come 

When I'll have be to the bad guy

Checking out his stories 

And keeping him safe 

Even if he ends up swearing he hates me 

I'll fight for him as my mother fought for me

 

And if I'm lucky 

The years will pass by 

We'll form a titanium bond

And one day he'll hold his own child 

And in that moment he'll understand 

What being a parent really means 

And what it takes, the strength 

The tears, heartache and money hard earned

Sacrificed for the love of a child

He'll look back in time as I have done

And see the value of a mother's love 

And all she gives with all she is, heart and soul 

He'll understand the price of his

Mother's sacrifice.

 

 

 

by Amanda Burns

for my Mom, "Kitty" Burns 

© Amanda Saylor nee Burns. All rights reserved.