IN MEMORY OF DOTTY CALKINS --- MY MOM

If you were here I would say thank-you,
for teaching me to find the courage and strength
to dance to my own brand of music.

If you were here I would say thank-you,
for showing me that each and everyone of us are a miracle of God
each destined to leave our own unique footprints in this journey called life.

If you were here I would say thank-you,
for encouraging me to see the invisible in order to do the impossible

If you were here I would say thank-you,
for always loving me unconditionally,
even when I least deserved it.

If you were here I would say thank-you,
for showing me daily the value of family and friendship, loyalty and love

If you were here I would say thank-you,
for believing in me when I no longer believed in myself

If you were here I would say thank-you,
for all the examples of how to be a mother, body and soul.

If you were here I would say thank-you
for all the sacrifices, heartache, loneliness, tears, and frustrations
that you so selflessly endured since the day I was born,
the day you decided to forever have your heart leave your body

Since you are no longer here,
I will close my eyes and say thank-you in my prayers,
and hope that you know you were all I have ever wanted to be.

Written by Dorrette Hogan