When Mother’s Day Hurts

It’s the day after Mother’s Day
And I find myself in thought
Of others, of me, and of the hurt
Of what yesterday has brought

Mother’s Day hurts for her
For her it’s a day of pain
The one who called her Mom is dead
And she’s reminded all over again

Mother’s Day hurts for him
For him it’s a day of pain
The one whom he called Mom is dead
And he’s reminded all over again

Mother’s Day sometimes hurts for me
For me it’s a day of some pain
For I never had someone know me as Mom
And each year, I’m reminded again

What do I do when this day comes
And I’m met with fallen tears
For some it’s not “Happy Mother’s Day” 
And it hasn’t been in years

For me, I’m not a mother
I never had a girl or boy
But I still have my mother with me
And I still have reason for joy

So each year as this day arrives
I spend it with my Mom
And, if I can, I share her with others
Until the day is done

Today, I want to pass along a hug
If yesterday hurt for you
If Mother’s Day only gives you pain
Then this is something that you might do

When this day rolls around next year
Find a mother somewhere to love
Share some time and words with her
And thank her with a hug

Or maybe there is a child 
That needs a hug from a mom
Maybe that is in you to give
To pass along your love

When Mother’s Day hurts for you
Please don’t let it end in your sorrow
Find someone to share some joy
And give them a brighter tomorrow





Poet's Note: 

It is May 13, 2019 and it is the day after Mother's Day.  A lot of emotion is wrapped up in this one, and it came out as I tried reading the poem to my Mom.  

Yesterday, Mom and I spent the day at our former high school in rural Saskatchewan for the annual graduation celebration (which traditionally lands every year on Mother's Day).  We didn't know anyone graduating, but we were "in the neighbourhood", so we spend the morning and afternoon there. We watched the grads walk on stage and be acknowledged for all their hard work.  And then they walked off the stage and were given a red rose to give to their Mom.  I remembered my graduation on Mother's Day, 1987 and the moment I walked down those steps with a red rose and went to give it to my Mom.  So I chose that picture today, because that was one of my most joyous Mother's days and I have photographic evidence of it!!! 

Yesterday, after our visit to our high school, we drove to my cousin's place and I was able to share my mom with two of my cousins who were missing their mom on Mother's Day. 

I understand how days like Mother's Day can hurt and when I thinking of those who will be shedding tears, that goes right to my heart.  And that is where this poem comes from.  


My Mother's Poem

“God’s greatest work of art”
That’s what she wrote back then
That's what she saw when she looked at their girl
That he named Precious Gem

What does a mother think
When she looks at her newborn babe
What reason did she have to endure
All the pain she did that day

Not just the pain of childbirth
She knew life would have its hurt
But still she chose again to conceive
And again she chose to give birth

She must have known when she penned the words
“Will she always be so swell?”
That children will always disappoint
And in time that truth would tell

But she still gave life to me and prayed 
And to this day I don’t know why
But could I help to answer one of her prayers
At least I’d like to try

It may take a lot of effort 
I can’t do this one on my own
So God how do I love and serve You”
For that was the prayer in my mother’s poem

© Ruby Neumann



Poet's Note:  I wrote this April 22, 2019, but decided since Mother's Day is so close, I would post it then.  The first poem about me was written by my Mom.  Both my sister and I had birth announcements that were poems written by our Mom and accompanied by our Dad's artwork.   I don't know if my parents realized, when they created the birth announcements for their daughters, that they would be the first portraits of  two very creative souls.  

I was reading the poem recently and found it inspired me again.  So even through I am delaying publishing this post until Mom's day, I want to thank my Mom and my Dad  for their combined inspiration. The picture I have shared in this post is my Dad's artwork.