Influence of A Different Kind

Influence of a different kind in my eyesight it's only fair that I pay homage. Although Sunday school, dance recitals, and dinner's by the window is not where I gained my knowledge.

Picked apart the protocol and discovered she was broken, not of her own will she was just one of the tokens.

Alcoholism, one bullet fired don't listen to her she's weak, in a hierarchy structure not trained to protect the meek. Although there was a misstep, some mishaps like no other, today I set the record straight and pay homage to My Mother.

Fall down, get back up, snatched out of darkness, critique the alcoholic try to break her daughter, but no one wants to talk about the monsters.

The alcohol was okay for some because it kept her stuck, I figure It's only fair that I pay homage to her strength ability to keep trying to get up. From the wheel chair of life that crippled her youth, her fight to keep trying ignites my truth. The one good leg, one good arm from the stroke serves as proof. That Mommy is stronger than any mountain in her way, using her foot to guide the wheelchair she rides today.

In her strength she taught me no matter who tries to knock you down,

You get back up! Keep pushing for the cushion and don't let up!

Soft voice speaking from a far,

"It's going to come from many angles because of who's daughter you are, they picked apart the birth and can't grasp how you're getting so far."

Although she had no clue she was teaching, and I was learning, once I understood the hand that was dealt I start believing and affirming that the mountain would move.

This was no longer just her fight it was mines too.

There is something to be said about a dream come true, for my mother to still be living and smiling after all she's been through. It's surely a joyous sight for my eyes to see into the eyes of my mother who has clearly been praying for me.

She was never given credit for great attempts she tried to prove. Like the birthday cake party in Homewood Park with my favorite on the cake, you guessed it, Scooby Doo.

Go figure, she was all alone folks liked to pick her apart but they never talked about the fact that she bought me my first car. Always being told, you're going to be just like your mother, the best kept secret, truth be told she showed up when it mattered sometimes drunk, sometimes sober.

With tiny baby bathtubs filled with the necessities, coming down the hospital halls, for all my newborn sons but she still came for me.

It amazes me now she tells me what to do, " rest don't worry about nothing, tell the truth." I love her more than she can Imagine and that's my truth. Now I've regained my strength mommy and this fight is for you. Her ability to forgive although there's hurt in her truth, taught me how to navigate life crisis's in my youth.

The play wasn't set in motion traditionally, It's the light at the end of the tunnel she has in her eyes for me.

The gift of her strength and forgiveness warms my soul, in this journey like the rest I will not fold. Although, some thought she would never get over that hump It's only fair that I use that as fire motivation and rise up.

To keep pushing for the cushion and don't let up!

I feel truly blessed to be like my mother her strength and forgiveness love is like no other that's why on this day I pay homage to my mother.

No matter what life throws at you, get up with the get up and don't let up!

Echo Marie Bryant