My mother... She was my shining example Of strength and compassion Of honor and love I was grateful to call her "Mom" She made me proud She wasn't only my mother She was my dear friend My mother had great strength And she was wise... I always knew I could draw from her strength Whenever I needed it It gave me the courage to grow up and take risks To experience life's successes... And a few of its failures Mother's compassion for others was so deep! She looked for the need and she filled it She treated others with kindness and respect And many lives were blessed through her goodness..."