A MOTHER'S WISH

At last, she holds him in her arms and gazes down at his amazing perfection
     this precious one whom she has waited to meet for months and months.

*

His tiny hands are clenched in little fists. Their soft, light pink nails remind her of translucent shells she saw one time that had washed up to shore from deep inside the ocean--delicate, intricate masterpieces of nature.



As she regards him, she dreams of the future... 

     and makes a wish....

     for...

     those hands....that they may

always lift up another in need

give without expecting in return

become strong and firm from an honest day's work

     his mouth...that it may

 speak the truth with kind words

proudly state his beliefs despite opposition

be the voice for those who have no voice

     his heart...that it may

 never lose the gift of compassion

freely give love and receive love in return

recognize that anger is often a disguise for fear

     his legs...that they may

fearlessly walk the road less traveled

steady him in times of trouble

always bring him safely home

all these things she ponders in her heart

She wraps him in a cozy, soft blanket

 snug but not too tight

holds him close to her heart

and together...

 they begin a life

**My child, if your heart be wise, 

my own heart also will rejoice;

And my inmost being will exult

when your lips speak what is right

for all that mother
or those who act as mothers 
physically or in spirit

*Maternal Admiration , William Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905)

**Proverbs 23:15-16