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.