A Letter To Mother
by Dave Banton
and used with his permission
Dear Mother,
I'm sorry I had to leave you so suddenly, but another needed me, and I had to go. In my hurry,
there were things I forgot to say.
Mother, I forgot to thank you for holding me as a child; for drying my tears; for waking me from the
nightmares and showing me that the only things under my bed were the dreams and hopes that you
put there.
I forgot to return to you the years of love you gave to me. The lessons I learned were those you
taught me, and without you, nothing would have been the same. I might have crossed the street
without looking, jumping in every puddle along the way, but you were there, and I looked both
ways, and my feet stayed dry. Thank you for leading me on a path that no rain had touched.
Thank you for worrying and crying when I was to afraid to cry, and holding me until the monsters
disappeared, even though they never left me. It was your strength, not mine, that kept me going
through the bad times. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to help you.
Thank you, mother, for standing by my side until I had to go; your tears washing the pain and doubt
from my body. It was the warmth of your embrace that chased away the chill of a unending night.
Thank you for saying "Good-bye".
But mother, I was not a good son, as you thought. I never said "good-bye." I never held you in your
time of need.
I never had the chance to tell you, for one last time, that "I love you."
But now, I can.
Mother, I love you and I am sorry for not letting you know that enough.
I wish that I didn't have to go without making you proud of me, and without telling you that I was
proud; proud to have you as my mother.
I wish I didn't have to leave you as I did; alone and empty, in the cold world which for so long, you
protected me from.
Sadly, mother, I must go. Others again need me.
I know that you still care and still keep me in your soul and heart. What you do not know, is that
you are my heart and soul. You are what made me the boy I was, and the man I am. Thank you.
Loving you always,
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