A version of this poem was shared in a Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep parent newsletter.

Although this is not my writing, I am posting this and dedicating it to the mothers who have lost a child and have no living child at home to hug and hold on this Mother’s Day.

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CAN YOU BE A MOTHER WHEN YOUR CHILD IS NOT WITH YOU?

  I thought of you and closed my eyes

And prayed to God today

 I asked “What makes a mother?”

 And I know I heard him say

A mother has a baby

That we know is true

 But God can you be a mother when your baby is not with you?

Yes, you can. He replied, with confidence in his voice

 I give many women babies. When they leave is not their choice

Some I send for a lifetime

And others for the day

And some I send to feel your womb

 But there’s no need to stay

I just don’t understand this God

I want my baby to be here

He took a deep breath and cleared his throat

And then I saw the tear

I wish I could show you What your child is doing today

 If you could see your child’s smile

With all the other children and say

We go to earth to learn our lessons

Of love and life and fear

My mummy loved me oh so much

I got to come straight here

I feel so lucky to have mum

Who had so much love for me

 I learned my lessons very quickly

My mummy set me free

I miss my mummy oh so much

But I visit her everyday

When she goes to sleep

On her pillow’s where I lay

I stroke her hair and kiss her cheek

 And whisper in her ear

“Mummy don’t be sad today I’m your baby and I’m here”

So you see my dear sweet ones

Your children are okay

Your babies are born here, in my home

And this is where they’ll stay

They’ll wait for you with Me

Until your lessons through

And on the day you come home

They’ll be at the gates for you

So now you see what makes a mother

It’s the feeling in your heart

It’s the love you had so much of

Right from the very start

~author unknown~