This series on love has been quite intense at times I know.  Perhaps today we can just take a moment to laugh at even ourselves.  As I pointed out, God is always at work to transform this heart of mine.  The years that Mom lived under my care were at times challenging; but, oh so revealing.  She lives now in an assisted living because the care she needs is more than I can provide and still work; yet, now we can laugh about our lives together.  I never miss going to see her and sitting for a while.  I take her treats, gifts and “things” every week so she doesn’t worry.  Sometimes I pick her up to go to the movies or out to eat.  She seems much happier there, since she doesn’t have to worry all day, “Oh what will I do if Darlene dies in a car crash!  Or can’t make it home!”  This poem I wrote for a humorous poetry contest.  When I read it to Mom, she laughed at each verse.  Then she said, “So, true.”

A Daughter’s Surprise

By Effie Darlene Barba

It was a quarter til six

Before the sunrise

Came a tap at my door

Awoke by surprise

I pretended to snore

The pounding grew louder

Now she called my name

As “Yes Mom,” I said

She then did proclaim

Quite loud “Are you dead?”

How do I answer?

I thought for a while

Oh what do I say

And then came a smile

I answered this way

“Yes mom, I’m dead, but

Don’t call the police

For an hour or two

Or three at the least

Until I say to”

She paused a moment

“I wanted to eat

I don’t want oatmeal

Or some cream of wheat

I really do feel

I want to have eggs

And toast so you see

You need to get up

And cook them for me

With maybe a cup

Of fresh coffee to”

So needless to say

There would be no hope

To sleep in today

Although I could MOPE!

I tried then to smile

As her breakfast I cooked

Her face then a scold

She spoke as she looked,

“You are getting old!”

“Oh, by the way can

You go to the store

My diapers are low

And I really need more

A hundred or so

I must not run out

I use ten every day

Down to nine hundred

Well there is no way!!

Such worry and dread!”

As she wrung her hands,

“Oh, me oh my, dear

What should I now do?

This worry and fear

My mind all askew”

                                “Where was I? Oh Yeah!”

“Then when you get back

My Laundry needs done

But please leave my lunch

With a sweet roll or bun

I love you a bunch”

“Thank you for breakfast

It really was nice

For dinner perhaps

Some chicken and rice

For snack then some wraps”

“Oh, my now I’m tired

I must go to sleep”

And off mom did go

To sound slumber deep

The sun now aglow

I went to get dressed

And to my surprise

There in the mirror

I saw there- mom’s eyes

Then it was clearer

That she had been right

I am getting old

The thought did occur

As life does unfold

One day I’ll be her

So today I must laugh

Today I will sing

And dance through this day

As though it were spring

No time to delay

No time then to waste

No time to be sad

No time for sorrow

No time to be mad

Sometimes in relationships we need to stop a moment to laugh at ourselves Laughter can be healing

Love covers  1000 wrongs when we look deep within our self & remember the Grace we were given

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post.  I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.