Last Letter From Mother

a dying mother must write her final letter to her long-lost daughter...

To my dearest love:

I may not have seen your little face in years,

but I do not need a photograph

to remember what it looks like.

All the unique features it displayed

and brilliant smiles it flashed

are forever engraved in my memory.

Oh, how could I ever forget that beautiful face?

It’s like I can close my eyes

and see you right here before me.

You’re laughing and leaning over to hug me

just like you used to all those years ago

when we were still together.

Thankfully,

I can still see the memory of you

in the midst of darkness whenever I close my eyes.

I wonder where you went, though,

when I open them.

Right now,
I know that no matter where you are
or what you’re doing,
you are no longer
the little baby
I once held in my arms long ago.
I may have been able to watch you grow for a bit,
and the last sight I had of you
was a crying, desperate child
begging for her disease-stricken mother

as the doctors ripped her away,
but you’ve grown since then.

I choose to believe that you’ve moved on

with your life,

especially since I was informed

that you are still alive

and have a little child of your own.

Ah, so you’re a grown woman now.

You’re too old for the porcelain dolls

and colorful dresses

and books on animals from the wild

that you used to love

when you were the little girl I can still remember.

You’re even a mother now--

you have your own child

that you’re treasuring and loving and trying to protect.

Wherever you two are in the world,

my dearest love,

my blessings are sent there.

And now,

my dearest,

I believe it’s time for me to say goodbye,

because the world has started to becoming darker

even though my eyes are still open.

Lately, it’s been getting harder to write

with these old withered hands.

The doctors are telling me it’s best to relax

until my final moments come,

but I need to write this last letter before time is up.

Before I lose to my sickness.

Before it’s too late and I must be put to rest.

Yes, I know that your heart is aching

and hands are clenched in fists

and eyes are overflowing with tears

as you struggle to read the end of this letter,

but please do not forget

that I will always love you.

From the moment you were born

to the upcoming moment I will die,

I have and will always love you.

I have treasured you

and loved you

and tried to protect you--

I will keep on doing so.

I’ve  always been able to see the memory of you

whenever I close my eyes,

so please continue to do the same for me.

As long as time and everlasting existence shall reign,

I will always love you.

You have never been alone in this world,

and you never will be.

Your heart

is where I have been

and will continue to be.

Never ever forget that,

my dearest love.

Sincerely, Mother.