On Mother’s Day in 2012, 86-year-old Mel Mason felt a sudden urge to honor his late mother, Mamie, with a poem.
He had a special relationship with his mother, who died at 87 years old in 1989. As her youngest child, Mason spent many quality hours with his mother, helping her in the kitchen and listening to her advice to work hard, be responsible and be truthful.
“I appreciate very much the things she taught me,” he said.
His poem, titled simply “My Mother,” speaks of a caring woman dedicated to her children.
“I’m just sorry I didn’t write this when my mother was alive.”
“My Mother”
By Mel Mason
Who brought me forth into this world
And welcomed me with arms unfurled?
Then cradled me in those two arms
And kept me from external harm
Who nourished me with breast milk sweet
And bathed me clean from head to feet?
Then dressed me in a flannel gown
Rocked me to sleep and lay me down
When I awoke, if I should cry
Who was it that was always nigh
To comfort me and hold me near
With gentle words to calm my fear
These things my mother did for me
And saw me through my infancy
Then came the time to turn the page
And enter ‘pon another stage
All through my childhood, who was there
To correct me if I should err?
Who taught me lessons that I’d need
If in this world I would succeed
Who gave me courage through my teens
And did the best within her means
To mold a boy into a man
Conforming to our maker’s plan
Though Mom has long since gone away
There’s one more thing I need to say
Then I will end this maudlin rhyme
With, “THANK YOU MOM,” a thousand times.
Read more stories in the “Memories of Mom” series here.
