What's on Katie's Mind? Katie: The artist, teacher, and social commentator.

Mom and Dad

I sit here thinking about my father today

With his well worn hands

Yet gentle way

My dad liked working with those hands

Whether pulling a weed or mixing some dough

There was always some work that just had to be done

But of course there was also time for some fun

In his later years my dad missed my mom

Even when she was holding cards, shaking her leg

And you knew what was to come

Because she had that twinkle in her eyes

She loved beating dad at cards

But it was hard to see dad when mom was gone

A part of him was gone too

Mom and dad were really just one

I’ve never really gotten over losing my folks

They stay in my heart and I think of them daily

Sometimes it’s little things that make me think of them

Like the date today, Daddy’s birthday

Sometimes it’s even watching the Pistons

My mom was really their number one fan

If I drink Irish crème I always think of my dad

And the many times we spiked our coffee together

Sometimes I’ll see an elderly man or woman

Notice the way they carry themselves and I’ m reminded

Of the two I hold most dear

My wonderful parents that were always there for me

Pressing me on and helping me

Holding my hand through the rough times

Lifting me up when I needed it

Encouraging me when I was discouraged

Just always there for me and my son

Watching Josh read a book upside down

Peeling an Onion and laughing

When Josh bit into it like his Grandpa

I remember that hearty, belly laugh

That goes to your soul and fills you up

And makes you feel like you don’t want to be

Any place else in the world

But in the valley of your father’s laughter

Watching those sparkling blue eyes twinkle

Drinking in the last of a good joke or story about the old days

When dad was young and mom was too

And all they had was their love so true