My Mother

My mother kept a garden,
a garden of the heart,
she planted all the good things
that gave my life its start.

She turned me to the sunshine
and encouraged me to dream,
fostering and nurturing
the seeds of self-esteem . . .

And when the winds and rain came,
she protected me enough,
but not too much because she knew
I'd need to stand up strong and tough.

Her constant good example
always taught me right from wrong--
markers for my pathway
that will last a lifetime long.

I am my Mother's garden.
I am her legacy-
and I hope today she feels the love
reflected back from me.