Hi Mother

Hi Mother,

Dear Mother, how are you doing?

Sorry I haven’t called recently, I’m getting by okay…

Your body is small and so are your hands

White hairs are mixed in and you’ve grown more genial
But to me you’re still bigger than anything, stronger than anyone

I want to tell my kids about this love that supported me

Even though I grow impatient when I’m near you

When you’re far away from me I grow lonely

That’s who you are to me, you can cut through any problem and solve it

And you have the most patience and toughness of anyone I know

You would always be concerned over my well-being before your own

Cooking, doing the laundry, cleaning, raising a child

You even worked during your free time

You would only require things from the lowest places

I didn’t understand even though it was so obvious

It wasn’t until I started living by myself that I understood

Whenever I think of how much you’ve accomplished

And how hard it must have been, I feel like I can try my best today

I’d say, “Wake me up at seven a.m.”

And you would wake me up right on time

But I would be unfair to you

And say the words “shut up” while I was still half-asleep

This was the daily routine

You never made one tired face

And woke me up every day

Warmer and more accurately than any alarm clock

But then one day I skipped school and said, “I don’t wanna go”

I wouldn’t leave my futon and you stood in front of me

Hid your face with both hands and cried loudly

I also felt sad and cried

At that time I blamed myself wondering, “How could I be so stupid?”

Your body is small and so are your hands

White hairs are mixed in and you’ve grown more genial

But to me you’re still bigger than anything, stronger than anyone

I give you thanks for this love that supported me, my mother

I know there’s nothing more painful in the world

Than a parent burying their child

So I’ll make sure it never happens

Even if I only live one second longer than you

I’ll make sure of it…

I’m glad I’m your child

I’m glad you’re my mother

And that won’t ever change

It won’t ever change for all time

Because I am the very image of you…

Be my mother forever

Be well forever

You still have one more job left to do

And that’s to accept your son’s love and respect for you…