--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Unknown collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 29 number: 7 published: 1926-05 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Unknown, “Dear Mother of Mine,” *Improvement Era* 29, no. 7 (May 1926): 667." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2907unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera2907unse start_page: 667 end_page: 667 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1926-05) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2907unse publication_year: 1926 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1926, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Dear Mother of Mine DEAR MOTHER OF MINE 667 Every lesson you've taught me has helped them to rise Nearer the sunshine and cloudless blue skies; Every tear you've shed o'er me has been the soft dew That refreshed them and drew them much nearer to you. Though bitter rebellion oft surged through my brain In wild waves of anger when punishment's pain You inflicted upon me for some small misdeed, The soul deep within me ne'er failed to give heed. And oft, when I lifted sin's cup for a drink, It was lowered because of what "Mother would think." Though strong the temptation and luring the way, I have turned at the thought of what "Mother would say " And so each experience has aided the roots Of affection's young plants to send up their green shoots, Renewing their energy, speeding the day When they should bear blossoms along life's dull way. Thus, dear Mother of mine, in the years that have flown, I have been well content just to call you my own. I have been satisfied just to bask in your love — In its influence sweet, like a boon from above. I've accepted your care and devotion so true, With a passive thanksgiving to heaven for you; I have realized vaguely the hardships you've borne; I have sympathized, too, when your heart has been torn When you have been weary and troubled and blue, I've longed to give some of my own strength to you; When you have been ill with dark worry or pain, I've longed to bring sunshine and hope back again. But never, till now, Mother dear, have I known, The extent of the suff'ring you've borne for your own — The pain and distress that accompany the birth Of another glad soul to inherit the earth. But now that I know of the! things you passed through, To give me my life, and the pain that you knew. That affection has blossomed and a breeze from above, Has quickly matured it — 'tis now a deep love, A love that is worship, dear Mother of mine, A reverence deep for a soul so divine; And now I return to a greater degree The measure of love that you're giving to me. So now, in the future, I'll try hard to live In a way that will merit the love that you give ; In my thoughts and my words and my actions, I'll show That I'm striving to go as you want me to go. I will try hard to lighten the load that you bear; I will strive to remove every worry and care; And when, in your eyes, I see that light shine, I'll know what it means, dear old Mother of mine! Walter N. Horne.