That's Love

She came in for books
to aid as she taught.
The ones that I showed her
were just what she sought.

Her student had trouble;
she couldn't remember.
The fires of learning
in her were an ember.

I looked on in wonder
"This teacher's a hero."
Her patience was boundless,
complaints numbered zero.

She never once told me
her life was so tough.
She didn't break down
or say she'd had enough.

She just had compassion.
A desire to teach
that mind that she found
was so hard to reach.

I'm sure that she'd say
that it's really no bother
who else, if not she,
would help her sick mother?



I wrote this poem shortly after helping a woman who had come in with her mother looking for some resources to help her recover from dementia. It was such an inspiring moment for me. The love that this woman had for her mom was incredible. She kept thanking me for helping her find the books she needed, and the whole time all I could think was "Are you kidding me? You're the one who's doing all the work here! You're the one who's standing by your mother through thick and thin!"

The truth is, she could have let her mother sit alone in a nursing home for the rest of her life. Lots of people do it, it really wouldn't have been a huge deal to most people. But from what I've seen of her, it looks like she's made the choice to be an active part in her mother's recovery. Granted I don't know all the details, I honestly just know the little that she told me while I was helping her find books, but that doesn't really matter all that much to me. Because I saw in her eyes, and heard in her voice all I needed to hear to know her motives in this.

This was a woman determined to make her mother well again. She loved her mom so much, and it showed in the way she spoke about her, to her, her attitude, and her spirit. She told me of the improvements they'd had already with the nurse/aide they'd been working with. She had such devotion, and tenderness toward her mother. It was awe-inspiring. I only hope that under similar circumstances I could act in a similar fashion.

How often do we look at people around us as less than deserving of our love? How often do we just walk by random people on the street without thinking twice about who they are, and what their life has been like? Had I not been told this lady's story, I most likely would have seen her as just another elderly lady like many I used to see during my visits with my great-grandmother when she was still alive.

So I guess what I'm saying is, caring about others might not always be easy, but when it's genuine, it can really make an impact. I know that the small glimpse I saw of the love of this daughter to her mother profoundly affected me. And I only saw them for 15 minutes. How will you make yourself known to the people you meet in your everyday life? How do you want to be known by strangers?

I thought this post was especially appropriate coming off the heels of mother's day. So here's to you Mom. Thanks for everything.