Grammy, I feel you in me

I feel you in me,

In the way my voice is soft like yours and the way my hair curls round,
I feel you in me,

In the way you love so unconditionally, like no one else matters in the world, but you.
I feel you in me,

When I hug my kids like you did me so soft, strong, tight and lovingly.
I feel you in me,

When I read my kids bedtime stories, so funny and silly and jokingly,
I feel you in me,

When I speak with someone and ask them how their day is going,
I feel you in me,

When I take walks in nature with my family,
I feel you in me,

When I see a cardinal perched or a unique bird looking at me so intently,
I feel you in me,

When I travel because you adventured just like I did too, so fun and wild and freely
I feel you in me,

In my smile, because your smile brought peace and warmth to me and everyone around you,
I feel you in me,

When I reflect on myself and talk to God, so real, so bold and openly,
I feel you in me,

When I take time for myself and be selfish with my time,
I feel you in me,

When I wrap myself in the warm soft blanket you so lovingly knitted for me,
I feel you in me,

When I smell that blanket still wrapped in your sweet scent, I squeeze it oh so tightly,
I feel you in me,

When I use the power behind my soft-spoken voice,
I feel you in me.

When I give back and show acts of kindness,
I feel you in me,

On camping, swimming and canoe trips,
I feel you in me.

You will always be with us Grammy and we are so thankful for your presence, your love, your grace, kindness, patience and the time you shared with us. Thank you and love you forever.

We feel you in us.

-Alethea

Two Mothers Remembered

by Joann Snow Duncanson

I had two Mothers - two Mothers I claim
Two different people, yet with the same name.

Two separate women, diverse by design,
But I loved them both because they were mine.

The first was the Mother who carried me here,
Gave birth and nurtured and launched my career.

She was the one whose features I bear,
Complete with the facial expressions I wear.

She gave me her love, which follows me yet,
Along with the examples in life that she set.

As I got older, she somehow younger grew,
And we'd laugh as just Mothers and daughters should do.

But then came the time that her mind clouded so,
And I sensed that the Mother I knew would soon go.

So quickly she changed and turned into the other,
A stranger who dressed in the clothes of my Mother.

Oh, she looked the same, at least at arm's length,
But now she was the child and I was her strength.

We'd come full circle, we women three,
My Mother the first, the second and me.

And if my own children should come to a day,
When a new Mother comes and the old goes away.

I'd ask of them nothing that I didn't do.
Love both of your Mothers as both have loved you.