Mom, how can I tell you something,

something you would already know...

How can I express to you my thoughts

on how your life made my life

something that touched me deep into my soul

It has been many years since joining your journey

through time and space, so many years since

the first time I can remember the first time I saw your face.

In the years that came, you made me laugh, you made me smile

you made me cry, and you could get me riled...

How many times did I share experiences in this life?

How many times did I square off , yelling, screaming,

pouting, shouting, then let it go as if to show that

it didn’t matter, because we had each other-and

even if neither said what the other knew was true

that life wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t for you.

Then came the day the day that would be the last one

I would know, when your journey would come to its end,

as you lay in the hospital

surrounded by your family and friends,

You knew that the time had come, as you asked me to go home

I mustered my strength and said to relax, to not be afraid

while all the while my heart was breaking, my mind was

screaming, please mom, please don’t go, I still love you

I still need you to be here, I need you to be here...

But, alas, as so oft en turns out

to be the case, no amount of hoping, wishing

praying will stop nature on its relentless pace.

When you held my hand and I held yours

I wished in that moment, that I had held it

so many times before and then I had to let you go...

and through the tears, and the agonizing grief, I want

nothing more than to tell you that no matter what, no

matter what, all I have for you is this love,

which never diminished in strength,

this love that forged our bond

it’s a bond that no one could break

Of course it’s something that you already know, that the love

between a mother and her son is a love that I was blessed with,

and it’s that love that gives me the strength

I need, the courage I need to be strong, to live on when I can no

longer breathe, and still let you go.

Now this journey is over mom, and I hope you are free..

I don’t want you to worry mom, please don’t linger in grief

just know that I love you as I have always loved you...

And, when my journey is over, I hope to see you once again,

knowing our love is still there, waiting to say hello once more

as I see your face, like so many years before.

--Bryan Galt

March 4th, 2011