When Mama Smiled

When Mama Smiled

When Mama smiled it seemed to me 

That all would be okay

Her eyes would twinkle merrily

In Mama's special way

When Mama smiled I always knew

She saw right through my mask

She always knew just what to do,

What questions she should ask 

When Mama smiled she had a way

Of making one feel seen. 

I never will forget that day

When I was just a teen 

Mama saw me crying there

And knew just what to do

She gave a hug and said a prayer,

And made a pot of stew. 

When Mama served a meal to me

Or anyone she knew,

She always made it perfectly,

To taste for me and you. 

She somehow added love and care

To every dish she made

So everyone who ate her fare

Found that their hearts were fed. 

When Mama hugged you felt as though

Your burdens now were gone

She took your pain and sorrow,

And bore them as her own 

When Mama prayed you knew her prayers

Were often for her friends

She walked with them through the years

Working hand in hand. 

When Mama cried those tears of joy

In worship or at home,

Her love for God shone gloriously

As she sang, "Thy kingdom come."

When Mama cried those tears of grief

Each year in February,

We saw a glimpse of her belief

In Jesus, our Sanctuary. 

When Mama passed from earth to Glory,

Spring has just begun

Trees were blooming beautifully,

In hopes of a harvest to come. 

Now Mama's body's resting there,

Her hands, once warm, now cold

Her eyes no more will twinkle here,

And she will not grow old. 

Her spirit went to be with God,

And how we miss her so!

But though we would not wish her back,

We hate to see her go. 

We miss her smile and warm embrace

We miss her tender care

We miss the look upon her face

We miss the solace there. 

We miss her twinkly eyes so blue,

We miss her words of love,

We miss her words of wisdom too,

While she is gone above 

We know she's singing there on high

With voice so sweet and mild,

And we remember the pure delight

We felt when Mama smiled.