Help! Love, MOM

My daughter, THEEEE best daughter a mom could ever have, is also a lovely poet who has given me permission to post some of her work. I can’t think of a better tribute on Mother’s Day.

I must also say that while this has been a good Mother’s Day, I spent time with my daughter yesterday, she always brings joy to my life, that I also feel a sense of mourning in my soul.

I think that I am both missing my mother and our relationship but also wishing that I could talk to her about some things that need clarity.

Where ever you find yourself this Mother’s Day know that for disciples, for believers, The LORD makes space for celebration and sorrow, laughter and lament.

For the mountains shall depart
And the hills be removed,
But My kindness shall not depart from you,
Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,”
Says the Lord, who has mercy on you. ISAIAH 54:10 NKJV

Blessings! Kimberly

I don’t see you near as often
as i used to
when you were a small child
all but living in my arms and on my hip

Such is the manner of all things
some things
too many things

We grow up
we grow older
we grow apart

time and life take us
to places we never could have imagined
had they been laid out before us like a map
like a plan that we ourselves had made
that we ourselves could change

But since we are so blind at guessing
what comes next
know this
Butterfly, Mariposa
that maturity
and time
and distance
are no set things

That which pulls us away
may draw us in

And no matter how long
how far
how wide
how deep
how distant the space between
love appreciates every point of contact
every meal
every gift
every note
all the hugs

but as it respects no distance
the distance between us
could never make me love you any less

3/07/25 1:35pm a note to my goddaughter



tell your sons
tell your daughters

tell your sons
they are never too hard

tell your daughters
they can never go too far

tell your daughters
tell your sons

tell your daughters
they are never too much

tell your sons
they are never too rough

tell your sons
tell your daughters

tell your daughters
tell your sons

they are always welcome
your arms will always be
home

4/19/24 4pm at my desk, thinking all the things

This last one needs decoding.

While super popular now there was a time when “unicorn” or “mermaid” colored hair and Harry Potter books was not cool to wear or read, at least, not at our church.

This stricture was not an official teaching of our denomination, just the desire of a group of congregants to control other folks.

I let my daughter do it anyway.

The porch references the movie “UP,” featuring Dug, the squirrel-chasing, but I-just-met-you-and-I-love-you dog.

One of the ways that Dug shows his love by telling you that he’s under your porch, I suppose to catch unsuspecting squirrels?? I don’t really know. But he’s cute, lovable and faithful.

Consider downloading the movie if you’ve never seen it. “UP” is delightful.

My lovely subversive Mummy
Who gave me long earrings when they were taboo
Plaited my hair blue
And read Harry Potter, too
How do I love, thee?

Let's count the Shakespeare we've shared
The books on theology
(You have more degrees)
The songs we like to sing
The shared porches under which we sleep

9/29/17 5:54p a belated birthday poem

I’d love to know what you think. If you leave a comment I’ll be sure to respond.