Happy Birthday Mom!

My mom is the most wonderful person in the world. She raised five crazy kids and lived to tell about it. She is always there when you need her. She cheers everyone up. She takes care of her mother, her children, grandchildren and friends. We all love her and are so proud of the grace and strength she has shown during this really hard year. We know Dad misses her and wants to be with her again, but we still need her for awhile longer. Here is a poem Dad wrote for her.

For Marilyn After Thirty Years

I saw the photograph of you and me

Some thirty years now spent

Your beauty trapped for lives unborn

On parchment white, on paper thin

The years have kindly kissed your face

with love and ever deepened grace

I find I love you more than then

Much deeper yet than thoughts can pen

You've given birth and nurtured five

Become my counselor and wife

Your selfless heart and faithful hand

This life within your golden band

My life I fear would flood in tears

E're me the grave would halt your years

And leave me naked, holding on

Where once were two, now less than one

For with the autumn's dimming light

Its colors deep, portend of night

From whence no stranger can return

Where go we all now in our turn

In vision watch as winter thaws

As to sky from Earth, no trailing flaws

You wait or I enshrouded there

For life renewed, for lives to share

Here's looking forward to the day when we can all be together. We love you mom! Happy Birthday!