Stay Gold

Some days I wonder why I have been chosen to be so blessed in my life. Was it something that I did growing up? Was I born under a lucky star? Was my life destined to be filled with the most wonderful people on earth? How did I earn the treasures that grace my life? Was there a recipe that combined "me" with a blend of all the most special ingredients that would bring joy to my days?

I got a package deal when I found the love of my life, Jim. With him came the most beautiful six month old baby that was the loving product of his union with Sharon Glover. The little girl grew up calling me "Mom" well before I earned the title. Lynn allowed me to cut my teeth on that daunting role of being a mother and she always accepted the fact that I was still in a learning mode. And, I often believe, she taught me more than I taught her.

It's funny that people always said that I would love my own children more than I love Lynn, solely because the children-to-be were mine and mine alone (of course, their Dad would play some part in that!). And, I say to those people, after thirty some years of being favoured with the pleasure of being Lynn's mom, that they are so very, very wrong. Lynn will always have the special place in my heart that whispers back to me: "You are my mom; and I love you; and I know that you will always love me." Because, you are my mom.

Lynn was the first to share with me this poem:

After a while you learn the subtle difference

Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,

And you learn that love doesn't mean security,

And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts

And presents aren't promises,

And you begin to accept your defeats

With your head up and your eyes open,

With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child,

And you learn to build all your roads

On today because tomorrow's ground

Is too uncertain.

And futures have

A way of falling down in mid-flight,

After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much.

So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting

For someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure...

That you really are strong,

And you really do have worth

And you learn and learn.

With every goodbye you learn.

Every time I reread the beautiful words of this verse, I think about how Lynn has decorated my Soul. And how she has taught me to embrace every new challenge with love and courage.

My sister recently said that if she were as young as Lynn, or Lynn if were my sister's age, that Lynn would be the type of friend that she would want to have to share her world. Although she didn't quite put it that way, I know she was feeling the same way as I do: Lynn decorates your Soul. I am so profoundly grateful to be her Friend and her Mom. Stay Gold, Lynn.