Mother,

I watch the lilacs petals drift off into the summer air. The scent of floral greets the sandy beach air. A hint of coconut slathers the skin in emollients. The sun has a smell, purity, life, a new season.

Honeysuckle grows wild between the emerald leaves. Intertwining each leaf with a fragrance so delicate, so sweet, almost intoxicating. A new day is near and new memories about to unfold.

Homemade chocolate chip cookies are baking. They house smells warm, sweet and safe. Everything is what it claims to be and security is found in every corner.

Your freckles have deepened over the years along with the lines. Your beauty has surfaced through wisdom, patience and most of all triumph. A new woman unfolds with each new smile.

The past melts like a burning candle, slowly fading into the night where our dreams meet reality. By morning the past is gone but the reminders are found in the puddles of overflowed wax.

Giggles and small voices fill your days and curiosity and wonder speak loudly throughout the restless nights. Your children have grown but youth has found itself among your childrens children. It is bliss.

On your left hand the diamond and gold are long gone yet the skin holds an indentation of what once was. A single tear falls as you see the smile he had when he fed you cake and many more fall as you see the love that choose to leave.

Love and patience has been sewn into your childrens lives, strength and wisdom have been sewn into you. God has become your only companion. You are a woman of beauty, wisdom, and courageous strength.

You have held your family together with your time and hospitality. You have mended broken hearts when lifes disapointements tore us. But your prayers mother, your prayers have not gone unheard. It is there, in that quiet place before God, that your heart can cry. It is there, that you have always handed the Lord what you could not control. Thank you mother for fixing what you could and handing to God what you could not. That is not only the example of an amazing mother but that of an amazing woman.