The Careful Mother Poem by Bill Upton

It seemed like yesterday
A 4 year old boy went to his first movie,
Walked to it, actually,
Hand in hand with a woman who knew the directions,
Who would buy the tickets
And would get him home safely.
Several years later the same woman
Had to find hospital transportation for the same boy
Who broke his arm playing baseball
While his father and the car were away on business-
All the while knowing the trauma,
Yet realizing she would have to get him home safely.
As life moved on, her message was constant-'Be Careful'
Whether it was meant for on the football field or in a snow storm
While driving or just for the sake of it.
She still felt the obligation to get him home safely.
She has grown old now.
Her knees and her hearing have left the building.
The facial wrinkles from worry and sacrifice show through now,
Having endured the rules of motherhood.
She rests, knowing her mission was accomplished.
Her memories stay etched in her soul,
Content in the realization that after being unrelenting
To her sacred, silent oath from childbirth,
She made certain at last,
That she had indeed brought him home safely.