For My Mother

Abba,
thank you for my mother,
for the forty-nine years of life you gave her,
and the fourteen years you gave me
with her.

Thank you for the heritage of love,
grace,
faith,
music,
laughter,
humility,
faithfulness,
diligence,
hope,
and submission
you gave me through her.

Thank you for the ways she yet speaks,
and for the unseen ways
she is still a part of my life.

Thank you also
for the mother of my children,
my sweet, beautiful wife.
Thank you for my daughter and daughter-in-law,
the fine mothers you have kindly given
to my grandchildren.

Have mercy, Lord, on all those
in this great, wide world
who are missing their mothers,
grieving them,
or needing them,
in Jesus' name, amen.