Mom, I was looking through some boxes
And found your picture there,
It was one of years gone by
Before age brought silver to your hair.
I sat there looking at your picture
And memories flooded o'er my soul,
I remembered the good times we had
Before you grew so very old.
I remembered the things you did without
That we might have enough to live,
I wondered, had it been the other way around
Would we have been as willing to give?
Quietly I pondered in my mind
As I sat there reminiscing
How many times we broke your heart
When we should have been a blessing.
I recall how unhappy was your life
When we children were not yet grown,
And how at last Sis took
And made for you a home.
How in your latter years,
As miles kept us apart,
How when we saw each other,
How it blessed our hearts.
Mom, I hope you forgive us
Each wound we brought your way,
If we live with regrets,
That's the price we have to pay.
I loved you, Mom, I'm sorry
I didn't more often tell you so,
I guess while you were living
I never realized how soon you'd have to go.
Death has separated us
For just a little while,
I long for the day
I'll see your celestial smile.
Will you meet me by the Savior's side
And walk with me in Glory,
And sit with me on grassy slopes
And hear again the old, old story?
I'm waiting, Mom, until we meet,
Upon Heaven's tableland,
As I sit here with these precious memories,
And your picture in my hand.
 

                                              Carl L. Hempen