Momma's Smile

This is a poem I wrote for my wife that she read at her mother's funeral after she lost a long fought battle with MS

Some say you gauge love,
by the tears that you cry,
when a loved one has left you,
and gone towards the sky.

 

They say that it’s normal,
to grieve the death of a life,
be it child or brother,
mother or wife.

 

They say to let it out,
like poison from a wound,
that you’ll never get better,
until it’s all out of you.

 

I have cried myself dry,
until I simply can’t see,
but if you must know the truth,
these tears are for me.

 

I am crying from loss,
and I am crying from strength.
I am crying from pride,
of pain endured at such length.

 

I am crying from anger,
at a life taken from me,
and of memories yet to pass,
and of what they could be.

 

I am crying from shame,
that I feel this way,
because you taught me better,
through example, every day.

 

You faced pain with a smile,
and never gave in,
even when it seemed hopeless,
you fought till the end.

 

You showed me that life,
is often not fair,
but you always had a grin,
that you weren’t afraid to share.

 

You showed me the person,
that I wish I could be,
and you showed me there’s more to life,
than most people see.

 

So positive and strong,
until the absolute end,
never giving an inch,
and refusing to bend.

 

I know you’re above me,
soaring through skies of blue,
being fully rewarded,
for the pain you went through.

 

Your suffering has ended,
and it’s earned you your wings,
it’s earned you your place,
in eternity’s center ring.

 

So this is why,
I cry for me and not you,
because you’ve finally been rewarded,
for all you’ve been through.

 

Your smile never faltered,
it stayed with you through death,
a final testament of you,
as you drew your last breath.

 

I cry for that smile,
that you left behind,
that smile that tells me,
that you’ll be just fine.