The Toughest Thing

One of the joys of being a pastor is to be able to encourage people in their life's journey and to urge them to develop and share their gifts. Lisa von Bradsky is the mother of two girls.Her husband Mark is an engineer. She designs jewelry and writes from her heart.

One of Lisa's beloved friends, who was also mother, died of ovarian cancer recently. Lisa wrote tht following poem in memory of her, but also as an exploration into the mystery of motherhood and love and life and death. I share it with Lisa's permission.

The Toughest Thing

The toughest thing a mom can know
is when to hold on, and when to let go.

When the baby cries for her afternoon nap,
do you lay her down
or hold her in your lap?

As she learns to walk with helping hands
do you pull them away, once you know you can?

As she leaves the house for her fist play date,
do you close the door,
or do you watch and wait?

First day of school do you walk along
or wave from the door till you see she is gone.

when she is all grown up and ready to wed
you give her a hug and kiss on the head.

so you watch from afar and help where you may,
and hold on, but loosely, as your child finds her way.

And when you're called home, and you fight not to go,
It's because you're afraid, they don't know all you know.

But you'll be there to help them from far above,
Because finally,what a mom really is, is love.