Apples Of Gold - RicPerrott.com

The calming of the crying child
The comforting of the wounded heart.
The belief in, and support of, the impetuous soul.
These things you do, not because you are my Mother, but because you are my friend

The years have added not only wisdom but understanding.
In the most difficult of situations you endured.
Somehow you managed to impart your values, your sense of propriety,
and your unconditional love upon another.
Upon one that is eternally thankful for such gifts

A tireless ethic, an abundance of love, an endless depth of warmth and compassion. I believe these are the very definitions of "Mother", and you embody them, yet make them your own.

Where once there was confusion, there is clarity.
Where once there was dismay, there is sanguine calm.
Where once there was doubt, there is renewed assurance.
I owe all of these to you; for without, I would not be me.

Saddled with immense responsibility at such a tender age, you embraced your fortune and resolutely accepted the position thrust upon you. Nurturing came so easily, as if you had prepared for this your entire life. I am so grateful that I was afforded the opportunity to grow alongside you. Together we learned the ways of the World, and our place in it. You taught me so much, and I'd like to think that we taught each other things along the way.

When I was sick you healed me.
When I was afraid you strengthened me.
When I was lost, you helped to find me.

I carry these things with me to this day;
the security, the comfort, and the confidence to take my own chances
knowing that you would be there to catch me when I fell.
When we were thrown tough times, and there were many,
we grew strength from our dedication to each other. We persevered.
The bond we shared—and still do—is my most treasured gift.

Though our paths through life are different now, I want you to know that not a day goes by when I don't rely on the lessons I learned from you. There may be times when I seem far, but you are always close to me. There may be stretches when we don't speak, but know that you are in my heart.

I will forever treasure the memories of our years past, and I look ahead to creating new ones I never wanted for what was most important; love, understanding, and support. For that I thank you from the deepest place. The World seems a very different place now, confusing and frightening. But the optimism I have stems from your courage and belief in us—in our family. That always helps me along.

I am letting you know today just how much you mean to me, and how much I owe to you.

Even though I am no longer your "little boy", I will always be your son.

I love you Mom

This was written for my Mother as a Christmas present. I had the work silk-screened, printed and framed as a surprise present for her. I could write an entire book on all the emotion behind this work, but instead for now I will choose to let the work speak its own words. I really don't think that there's anything I could add in this short space that would accurately convey the meaning behind this one. I hope you can understand that, and that you'll forgive me for not going on at length about it.