I'm a kid and obey easy, learning quickly and completely

A teen now and house rules don't seem fair
challenge of her authority starts slow and sure

A young adult now and I realize Mom and I play by different rules
figuring this to be grossly unfair my rebellion is in full force
small comfort is taken in knowing that my siblings deal with it too
nor in the fact that beside me she has six others to raise
I am only able to see her responsibility as being perfect, and she isn't
resentment sets in and sibling jealousy too

An adult not at home anymore I realize
she gave all the best from my life's inception to her life's end
never settling for second best
everything thought of, planned well in advance
seeing to it we had every chance
encouraging wins, comforting sorrow, applauding accomplishment

Never could I have imagined how God would take her or when
as if her struggling to raise five boys and two girls by herself wasn't enough
suffering cancers of bone, breast and liver were her final challenge

I am convinced of her readiness to go and His intent at drawing me closer to Him through her loss
she was my mother, my parent, my best friend
because of your love Mom and showing me what it is I can say:
I loved you then, still do, and always will