We never knew our clothes weren’t new,
we thought we were the privileged few.
How could we know we didn’t belong
in your world? We thought nothing was wrong.
We felt so lucky, fortunate ones,
while Mom kept mending, never done.
She gave us all we truly needed,
not wants that other hearts have feeded.
She knew that we would be okay,
for she herself was raised that way.
A mother uses what she has to give,
and by that shows her kids how to live.
She gave her all and added heart,
no other family would I choose to be a part of.
Thank you, Mama, for all you gave,
for showing us how a mother is made.
Billie Joyce Orcutt