I Never Prayed for My Mother

In all the years I enjoyed her company,
chafed at her criticism,
thought I would have her forever,
I never prayed for my mother

Although I fervently wished her life to be richer,
her comfort to be higher,
her courage to uphold her,
I never prayed for my mother

I pray for her now—
that she has found Paradise,
that she dances with the far-flung stars,
and that, when she rests,
it is in Peace

(Excerpted from The Last Violet: Mourning My Mother, Moving Beyond Regret, copyright 2002 Lois Tschetter Hjelmstad)

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