A Letter To My Mother

"....to be touched by the poem and to feel that it's ok to move on..."

When you have something important to say, A Gift of Poetry is a really

meaningful way of expressing your innermost thoughts and feelings.

(Here's a good example of what can be achieved. Vicki wanted to say something special to her mother. Vicki has kindly given her permission for her poem and story to be published)

Two Islands

What is your name : Vicki

Who do you want the poem written for: My Mum

Why do you want the poem written: It is 2 years since my dad died, he died of cancer and suffered for a year before he died, my mum looked after him at home for some of it which was awful for her to see the man she loves slowly pass away. She has now got a man in her life and is beginning to get her life back, she constantly worries about how we ( her children)  feel about it all. We are happy for her, we do not want her to be alone we want what ever makes her happy.

What style of poem would you prefer (happy, sad, romantic etc.): Touching

Please choose which package you would prefer : Deluxe

Would you like a copy of the handwritten drafts : Yes

What are the key messages you would like to send: I would Like my mum to know how proud I am of how she was when my dad was ill, she looked after him, bathed his wounds, washed him, fed him, she did everything and never shed a tear for him to see.

I want her to know I am happy that she has now someone else in her life and that she deserves to be happy and looked after

I want her to know that I understand that she is busy making a new life and that im always here for her if she needs me, she worries that because she is spending so much time with her new man ( Robert ) that she is neglecting us, I feel that she deserves to do what ever makes her happy after everything she went through and we are always close to her where ever she is

I want her to know that her life with my dad is a separate one to what she has with her new man and that the 2 will not be confused as the love with my dad and my mum will never die, this new relationship is not a replacement for what she had, its something new and exciting

Do you have any funny, sad, happy, embarrassing or otherwise memorable moments that you would like to share: We were all with my dad at the hospice when he passed away myself, my sister, my brother and my mum we all held onto him as he passed, its something I will never forget and its a moment that the family were together for the last time, We are a very close family.

Mums new partner Owns a farm, Adam ( my baby boy) loves it and Im looking forward to when he gets older and can play with the animals and chase the chickens

The other week I turned up at my mums and she was looking after an orphan lamb! it was so funny and sweet, she also has 2 little yorkshire terrier puppies that she got after my dad died as their dog was put down soon after due to old age so she got the puppies as company, she dotes on them and they were running about with the lamb

Do you have any other comments or thoughts : I want my mum to be touched by the poem and to feel that it's ok to move on, she doesn't like confusing the relationship with my dad to her new one, to a point where she hardly let her new man in her house because it is ' mum and dads' house and she says it feel wrong

I would like the references between the two relationships not compared

I Know that she will be feeling low around now as we all are and feeling like her new relationship is wrong and feeling guilty that she has moved on, I want her to know that after all the suffering we went through its ok to be happy now and that the wonderful life she had with my dad will always be with her, but she can start a new life now and enjoy it or what's the point in going on

Id like you to mention mums puppies Poppy and Daisy as she loves them so much, they are her babies now and they really make her happy
 

Two Islands

Mum, I'd like to paint you a little picture,

can you try and imagine two islands in the sea?

And there's a bridge that joins the pair,

but really the bridge is no place to be.

Because the first island was a beautiful place,

but it was just not where you were destined to stay,

and once you leave the first island, well,

I forgot to say, the bridge is designed to be one way.

As once you've crossed it, you shouldn't look back,

because there's no way you can undo what is done,

and you above anyone else, well you deserve it,

you deserve that second beautiful island, in the sun.

Because I know it's been two years since Dad died,

but the almighty just can't ignore when God's call,

and I wanted you to know that we're so happy for you,

because we know you worry, how we feel about it all.

But we don't want you to be alone, we want you to be happy,

you couldn't have done any more for Dad in his final years,

you looked after him, bathed his wounds, washed and fed him,

and never once, did you let him see your many tears.

So now I think it's your turn to be looked after,

we think it's great that white is replacing the black,

and of course, you can lovingly remember the first island,

just as long as you don't keep looking back.

I'd also like to share a piece of heartfelt advice,

and I've got a feeling these words might travel far:

You're not neglecting us, you deserve happiness,

and we'll always be close to you, wherever you are.

I also know that you're sorry Dad never met Adam,

well, don't underestimate what happens to the eternal soul,

and he wasn't born on your birthday by sheer chance alone,

and it's still his grandparent's that make him completely whole

And we know that Robert will never replace Dad,

but you can easily share your love, side by side,

the second island won't destroy the memory of the first,

it's just life and death, the ebb and flow of the tide.

So, please enjoy this new, wonderful, exciting time,

and let love, once again, invade the corners of your heart,

because Mum, I just wanted to say I'm proud of you,

but in truth, I just didn't know where to start.

Because I'll never forget our last moments as a family,

and I'll carry those thoughts with me, until the end,

but just like the puppies and the orphan lamb,

well, there's time when we all need a friend.

And you've been more than a friend, more than a mother,

so please don't feel so guilty about moving on,

because you can remember the first island,

and how your love always brightly shone.

But the sun will also shine today and tomorrow,

and I know it will shine again, the day after that,

because I know when love comes knocking at the door,

well, it's time to get out the welcoming mat.

Just know that you have our heartfelt blessings,

as it's because of you, we've all literally soared,

just enjoy your time, basking on the second island,

because that's the one where the future is stored.

Copyright Allen Jesson :) 2005

www.agiftofpoetry.com

 Vicki kindly replied: