I Am With You Still
(For Amanda, in loving memory of her brother, Wallace Pason Barrs)

I see your tears each time you cry
And know your pain is real.
But rest assured that I am fine
And I am with you still.

I hear your words each time you pray
When by your bed you kneel.
But rest assured that I am fine
And I am with you still.

I feel your touch each time you visit
My grave that’s all too real.
But rest assured that I am fine

And I am with you still.

I know you think I left too soon

And your heart will never heal.

But rest assured that I am fine

And I am with you still.

You were my sister and my friend

God gave to us that seal.

And when your hurt is hard to bear

I am with you still.

                                                                          ~Ruth McDonald Mair

As we begin Memorial Day Weekend 2014, I would like to share a poem I wrote in October 2012.  Although it was written around Veteran's Day, I think Memorial Day is a good day to share it.  I want to say a big thank you to all our men and women in the U.S. military--whatever branch--past or present.  And to the ones who gave the  ultimate sacrifice, this poem is for you.

The Salute

The little boy stood with his mom
beneath the giant oak.
The time had come to say goodbye
to the man they both loved so.

The flag was neatly folded
and placed into his hands,
The rifles fired, the bugle played
and echoed through the land.

The final prayer was offered up
for healing, strength and peace.
The casket waited to be lowered
as the crowd began to leave.

The little boy kneeled with his mom
to say their last goodbye.
He prayed, “Dear Lord please take him home
to be with You on high.”

The little boy turned to his mom
with a look that was so brave.
Then he turned just one last time
and saluted his dad’s grave.

                                                                         ~Ruth McDonald Mair~

Have you hugged your kid today…or texted them just to say, "I love you"?

I am the mother of three boys and stepmother of one daughter.  I was 25 when I found out I was one month pregnant with my first son.  I think my doctor let me come in for a pregnancy test just so I would stop calling his office!  Those were the longest, but most awesome, eight months I had ever experienced.  Now granted, when my oldest son decided to make his entry into this world, he took his own sweet time—54 hours to be exact!   But even after that, I was just as excited when I learned I was expecting the second and third time.  Again, I found out very early with both of them and could not wait to hold those babies in my arms—and they each took 24 hours to make their tiny voices heard.  My stepdaughter came into my life when I was 38 and she was 13, although I did not marry her father until she was 18.  Being blessed with all these children to love has been the highlight of my life.

I guess my joy of being a mother is why I have a hard time comprehending those parents out there who either don’t want their children to begin with, or once they do have them, don’t want anything to do with them.  Even harder for me to comprehend are those parents who are just too busy with their own lives to be involved with their children.  A child will take rejection and being ignored only for so long before they simply walk away.  Even with my children being 27, 25, 23 and 18, I could never tell them I am too busy for them, or just ignore them.  If any of them ever has an issue or a problem, they know they can come to me or call me anytime of the day or night and I will not turn them away.

No, things weren’t perfect for us as I was raising my children.  We definitely had our moments when we butted heads, argued and cried.  But we also had good times, silly times and happy times, which have far outweighed the bad.  And these good times are the ones I hope my children will remember long after I am gone.  I hope they all remember just how much I love them and how much I look forward to each and every minute I get to spend with them, whether it’s in person or on the phone, or even playing Words With Friends on Facebook.

Life is just too short not to spend it with those you love and make your life worthwhile!