Is this your child?
someone asked me
when I was shopping
in a crowded store.

Is this your child?

I stopped for a moment
and looked at
at my son.
He hadn’t let me
comb his hair
that day,
and he wore his
favorite teeshirt
which was
decorated
in ketchup red
and chocolate
brown.

His face was smudged
and dirty,
we had been
to the park
and he had fallen
in a mud puddle.
He was singing
God Bless America
over and over
in his offpitch
voice.

Is this your child?

She asked again
I looked into her
unfriendly eyes
and cringed at
her tone of voice.

Taking a deep breath
I ruffled that unruly hair
kissed his smudgy cheek.
Turning to face her
I answered
loudly and proudly

“Oh yes,
this is my child
his name is Dhylan
Isn’t he wonderful?”

- – – copyright 1999 Sally Meyer

God bless the the mothers,
the ones who rock their children
and place them in warm cradles.

God bless the mothers,
the ones who wrap their children
and hide them from bullets and terror.

God bless the mothers,
those who take their children
to the movies, and buy them popcorn.

God bless the mothers
those who feed them their own
portion of food, saying they are not hungry.

God bless the mother’s
the ones whose children do well
in school, and get straight A’s

God bless the mothers
the ones whose children
steal cars, take drugs and drop out.

God bless the mothers
those who have children who
are born perfect, whole and healthy.

God bless the mothers
whose children cannot walk
or hear or see.

God bless the mothers
whose children grow up
and have children of their own.

God bless the mothers
who lose a child, and
spend a lifetime mourning.

God bless the mothers
who go to church on Sunday
and take their children with them.

God bless the mothers
who stay home on Sunday
and bake cookies and read.

God bless the mothers
who give money to charity
and send food to the food banks.

God bless the mothers
who wait in line, hoping
for a decent meal and a bed.

God bless the mothers
whose children pray at night
beside their warm cozy beds.

God bless the mothers
whose children cry out in hunger.
And shiver in the cold.

God bless the mothers
who sing to their children
and rock them to sleep.

God bless the mothers
who sing without music
and dance without reason.

God bless the mothers.

- – - copyright 1999 Sally Meyer

Our Heavenly Father above, Creator of love
Holy and Sacred is Your Name
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done
As it is in heaven be it on earth the same

I need to be Holy Spirit led and spiritually fed
Only You can help me understand and see
Help my pride erase to give others grace
Just as you have given grace to me

And this I pray, please keep evil away
So though I am tempted I will not do wrong
I long to honor You in all I say and do
And to be faithful my whole lifelong.

Forever you reign, in your glorious domain
Your Sovereign Power will never end
You are the truth and the way, in Your name I pray
My precious Lord Jesus. Amen

- – - written by Arlene Spanos