By Veronica Hankey

The young mother set out on the path of life,
‘Is it a long way?’ she asked
And the guide said: ‘Yes the road could be long, with many a winding turn…but the end will be better than the beginning’.
The young mother was happy and played with her children, they gathered flowers along the way and bathed in clear streams with shafts of sunlight shining down on them.
And the young mother said, ‘Nothing could ever be more beautiful than this time on the road’.

Then the night came, bringing a storm and the path became dark,
The children were scared and cold, so the mother sheltered them under her loving arms and draped her shawl around them.
And the children were not afraid for the mother was near, and nothing harmful happened to them.

And the morning came and the path led up a steep mountain
The children climbed and became tired, and the mother became weary,
But she said to the children, ‘Just a few more steps and with some perseverance we’ll be there
So they climbed and got to the top.
It was a beautiful sight and the children said, ‘Mother, we could not have done it without you.’
And the mother looked up at the sky and said, ‘Today my children have learned persistence and courage even when the climb was long’.

A few days later there were strange clouds which darkened the earth with war, famine, hate and evil.
The children groped and stumbled and the mother said, ‘Look up! Lift your eyes to the light beyond the clouds”.
And the light guided them to a place of safety.

And when the mother lay down she looked up at the sky and said, ‘This is a better place on the road, for my children have learned to have faith in God, and walk the road with courage. They have experienced hope and love and have become strong.

And when the mother grew old and the way was rough, they lifted her until they came to the gates of gold,
And the mother smiled and looked at her children and said, ‘You are ready to walk alone’
And the children said, ‘You will always be with us…in the rays of the sun, the smell of a home cooked meal, laughter and love’.
That is why a mother is more than a fond memory …. she is the pulse of every heart in her home….even when she is gone from this world.

And to the mother who remains here and whose child went on beyond the light,
A mother and child reunion will come with the dawning of a bright new age,
Look up! Lift your eyes to the light beyond the clouds,and have faith that your child awaits you there,
For they know …… love will never fail them