Death of a Mother – 11 Nov 08

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Roger sent a poem which he wrote in the night of his mother’s death. He had been sitting with her in her last hours. It touched my heart and you can see the great relation of mother and son. This love is wonderful.

'These hands, showing the signs of work, which are now lying peacefully in mine, are the work some hands of a mother.
When I was a child they caressed me and took care of me.
They washed me, swaddled me and put me to sleep.
These hands were never tired of cooking for me, feeding me, wiping my mouth.
With thousands of pinpricks they sewed clothes for me, full of love they knitted socks and scarf, earlaps and gloves against the cold of the winter.
In the first attempts at walking, they guided me and provided security.
These hands consolingly dried my tears.
In clouded nights of feverish dreams they cooled my forehead and chased away the demons.
Folded they showed me how to pray.
When practicing to write, they directed my clumsy hand.
They gave me power and strength and the love for work.
These hands protected me and thoughtfully took care of me.
They showed me the way and encouragingly let me go into the world.
They opened the door for me and always welcomed me with joy.
These hands led me to the altar and entrusted me to my beloved.
Now they are old and weak, helpless and tired, marked by life.
Now, in the most difficult of all hours, in the hour of the big goodbye, I hold my mother’s hands and accompany her on her way to a better world.
My hands in yours, dear mother, we are united until the end.
The circle closed.
I want to give back to you a small part of what you have given to me, just a fraction of what I owe you.
May my hands give you strength, security and protection.
Do you feel my unbroken love of a child, dear mother, my endless thankfulness and eternal faithfulness?
I want to give you strength and harvest consolation.'

(20th November 1997)

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This Post Has 4 Comments

  1. Sarah

    What an inspiring piece of writing- truly a blessing. thank you Roger and thanks to Swami Ji for sharing.:)

  2. Emily

    Wow, this poem was very touching. It reminded me of my mom and everything she has done for me. There is no one in the whole world like your mother is to you. I will cherish my mom forever and take care of her until her last breath.

  3. Calle Rehbinder

    Oh, what a beautiful story. Very poetic, filled with love, respect and humility.Just the kind of mother we all would have loved to have.

    I also feel honoured that you use my photo for this post.
    Thank you.
    I long to come and visit again, but it seems it has to wait some time longer.

    My love to your whole beautiful family.

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