For My Mother

Four years ago

You were in a fight for your life

Stage three and a lump as big as a grapefruit.

That Christmas was the worst one that I can remember

For all of us

But it was hardest on you

For you lost a part of yourself.

While you felt alien after surgery

We wanted to cry

Tears of fear and tears of joy

Tears of sorrow and tears of thankfulness.

Good and experienced doctors made you better

And thanks to God

Breast cancer did not take you away from us.

And every day we thank Him that you are still here

To share many more Christmases with us

And many more new years and birthdays.

With a lot of help

You won the fight

And you are still here

To share your story of triumph and love.