Mama's Motto

Now, Mama never was
the uppity kind,
but a more prideful woman
you'll never find,
so I'm here to tell you,
and I will attest:
she was "good as the best
and better than the rest."

My mama raised us kids
the best way she could,
trying to teach us all
to be kind and good.
When times were hard,
we had little food to eat;
sometimes we had no shoes
to fit our feet.

But this detracted not
from Mom's pride and will.
She would say to us,
and I can hear her still:
"Being poor is no shame;
what's inside is the test,
and you're as good as the best
and better than the rest."

Well, down through the years
I have often relied
on Mama's motto
to boost my pride.
When life is rude
and makes me feel small,
I remember her words,
then I stand tall.

Copyright © 1995, 2004 Ruth Gillis