To My Mother

 

To My Mother

by Wendell Berry 

I was your rebellious son,

do you remember? Sometimes

I wonder if you do remember,

so complete has your forgiveness been.

So complete has your forgiveness been

I wonder sometimes if it did not

precede my wrong, and I erred,

safe found, within your love,

prepared ahead of me, the way home,

or my bed at night, so that almost

I should forgive you, who perhaps

foresaw the worst that I might do,

and forgave before I could act,

causing me to smile now, looking back,

to see how paltry was my worst,

compared to your forgiveness of it

already given. And this, then,

is the vision of that Heaven of which

we have heard, where those who love

each other have forgiven each other,

where, for that, the leaves are green,

the light a music in the air,

and all is unentangled,

and all is undismayed.

 

 

Mom, 

Your unfailing forgiveness 

The steadfastness of your own character 

And the steadfastness of your efforts in shaping my character

Your strength of heart and mind

While still remaining soft and feminine 

A woman that delights in the Lord and in people of all kinds

You've always kept a sense of grace in our home

Many are quick to judge, quick to blame

But the lasting impression of you has been your quickness to forgive

To bring grace to a world that experiences little of it

I want to have pride like you 

Like the Avett Brothers say,

"not the kind of pride that turns you bad"

But the kind that gives up selfish ambition 

And sees good and isn't afraid to live it

What I can say for myself is that 

You, mom, have shaped me

The parts of myself that I like

The times when I get real honest with myself and God

When I struggle and find some remnant of joy to smile about

When I don't take myself so seriously

And I can laugh at my shortcomings

But mostly when I reach out to God 

I find you there, encouraging me 

To keep pursuing what is good and lovely

Because that's who you are

A lover of beauty

The kind though that doesn't fade with time and age

But one that lasts for all of time

And one that has laid an imprint on my life

Continue in your way, mom

I love you

Natalie