Happy Mother's Day from Iraq

Before I was myself you made me, me.

With love and patience, discipline and tears,

Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,

Allowing me to sail upon my sea,

Though well within the headlands of your fears.

Before I was myself you made me, me.

With dreams enough of what I was to be

And hopes that would be sculpted by the years,

Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,

Relinquishing your powers gradually

To let me shape myself among my peers.

Before I was myself you made me, me.

And being good and wise, you gracefully,

As dancers when the last sweet cadence nears

Bit by bit stepped back to set me free.

For love inspires learning naturally:

The mind assents to what the heart reveres.

And so it was through love you made me, me.
By slowly stepping back to set me free.

I don't know who wrote this but it seemed to fit our relationship. You deserve everything you ever wanted. You have raised two successful kids, we have gone through our troubles, but you instilled the fierce love that is the glue of our family. Without you, I would be in a gutter and dad would be lost. Thank you mom. I always love you. Happy Mothers Day.

Ryan