though our kids have grown much older now
some with sweet—lively children of their own
including all the furry and cuddly creature sorts
at night—her heart reaches out—beyond herself
she illuminates her phone and checks her map
making sure they have all arrived safely home
tucked in soft—warm beds of her hopeful dream
like Jesus counting each one of his tiny lambs
she will not rest until they are all accounted
and her everlasting quilt of kindness is spread

so—before her evening light flickers turn dim
before she yearns then kneels down to pray
before she silently lays a weary head beside me
before she sails on dark’s quiet waters of sleep
inside her gentle and peaceful realms of spirit
her love spills over to fill all her cups of family
until each home and heart snuggles into a place
and this model of life is how I am most certain
there is a tender and loving mother in heaven