Poems by Kathy J. Parenteau

I have a special locket that rests above my heart,
it holds your beautiful pictures while we must be apart.
It's my hope that you're still with me no matter come what may,
so I know that I can talk to you every single day.
When I walk into a storm you're watching over there,
guiding me to sunny skies with tender loving care.
I'll never have to be alone you're always next to me,
you show me love in different ways the eyes could never see.
Your spirit fills my soul with love beyond any explanation,
with pride I'll wear it every day in total admiration.
Of the woman who changed my life and patiently awaits,
arms wide open to welcome me when I reach heaven's gates.
It's never really good bye if in your heart you do believe,
a mother's love is endless, and never ever leaves.

Once upon a time an angel held my hand.
She wiped away my tears and helped me understand
Our time on Earth is brief; there are lessons to be learned.
Each precious day God gives us, another page is turned.
Every chapter full of memories, times of joy and tears,
Triumphs and defeats, through every passing year.
She loved us unconditionally, always by our side.
When no one else would listen, in her we could confide.
With gentle words of wisdom, she led us on our way,
Down the paths of righteousness if ever we did stray.
She saw the light in everyone and gave with no regrets,
Always from her heart, let's not forget.
Angels come in many forms; for me it was my mother.
With love I cannot say in words there'll never be another.
Every day I turn the page, in my heart will ever remain
Everything she taught me as I stroll down memory lane.
Thank you, God, for giving me the most priceless of all treasures.
Help my, Lord, to keep alive her memory here forever.
I pray that I can someday be everything she hoped I would,
That she's smiling down from heaven knowing she did good.
As we gather here today, there's no ending to her story.
Another chapter has begun, full of grace and glory.
God's called her to his heavenly home, part of his great plan.
Although it may be hard, we all must understand.
Faith is what is hoped for, things we cannot see.
Heaven is promised to all of us if only we believe.

Life takes us through many changes like the seasons of each year,
Some so unforgettable we sometimes shed a tear.
I remember when I was a little girl, it seems not long ago,
My mother would shelter me in her arms,
A feeling I thought I'd never outgrow.
Maybe I really haven't because hidden inside of me,
There's still that need to hold her,
Though are chances are few and far between.
We live our lives looking back on memories of the past,
Ones we often cherish, for time moves along so fast.
I remember my teenage years, rebellious as they were,
Though I'd made many mistakes I could always count on her.
Oh the times I'd hurt her with the hateful things I'd say,
I hope she knows how sorry I am and how much I love her today.
As children we don't realize how words can break a heart,
Leave scars that last a lifetime and tear two lives apart.
Though forgiveness isn't easy, we've found it through the years,
My mother and I are closer than ever,
Our love has washed away the tears.
So let me tell you that I love you mom, in this message that I send,
Though time is ever changing, I'll always remember when.

My dear sweet heavenly father, I come to you today
with faith and hope; I ask, send an angel Mama's way.
I know her time is near and soon you'll take her home
to stroll across the streets of gold where other angels roam.
It's hard to watch her suffer and slowly fade away.
Help me, God, to understand; give me strength, I pray.
She means so much to all of us; forgive me for my fears.
Life will never be the same without her presence here.
My mother is my angel; she taught me how to love
and told me about you, Lord, and heaven up above.
When she crosses over and steps into the light,
tell her that I love her and when the time is right,
meet me at the pearly gates where everything's brand new.
We'll walk across God's meadow lands where skies are always blue.
Somewhere beyond the sunset every now and then,
I pray she watches over me until we meet again.

Once upon a time many years ago,
an angel was sent to the earth to let all God's people know,
that love and only love is the key to all life's sorrows,
opening doors once closed, promising brighter tomorrows.
The angel traveled the globe to spread the wonderful news,
but people wouldn't listen and the angel was confused.
In the heavenly land she came from, this message was quite clear,
there is no sadness there, anger, pain or fear.
All of this is promised to those who do believe, a savior who is Christ the Lord
shed his blood to set us free.
When the angel went back up to heaven to tell God we didn't listen,
she noticed on her back her tiny wings were missing.
She cried, "Oh heavenly Father, I did my very best, but people on earth have their free will,
I sadly must confess."
Only moments later from her shoulders hung with love
were wings of solid gold, a gift from God above.
God knew his little angel did all that she could do,
to show the world what matters most, this rest is up to you.

It's our free will that will cause us to stumble, but if we do God's will we shall fly!

Mama told me a story a long, long time ago, not like any that I'd ever heard,
all about a little girl mama used to know, how I remember every word.
Seems like a lifetime ago, though I remember it so well.
It was a Christmas Eve I'll never forget as far as I can tell.
We were sitting at the kitchen table, it was only my mother and me.
I was dreaming of Christmas morning and all the presents under the tree.
Dad wasn't doing that well and money was scarce that year.
Mama found a way of telling me without me shedding one tear.
She told me a story of a little girl and a Christmas long ago,
who came from far away, a place where it rarely snowed.
Santa was just a dream to her, but she believed so much inside,
that Christmas was going to be special, so she knelt by her bed and she cried.
"Lord, let Santa remember me if not just this one time.
I promise I won't ask for much, maybe a dolly I can call all mine."
She closed her prayer and thanked the Lord for all that she received.
She knew that Santa would really come if only she believed.
She wrote a letter to Santa, unfamiliar to most girls and boys.
Though her list was long and full, on it there were no toys.
Only things we take for granted, like new shoes or underpants,
hair bows for her sisters and gloves to warm her brothers' hands.
At the bottom of her list she asked, if it not be too much,
for a brand new baby doll she could hold and love and touch.
Then Christmas morning came and she looked beneath her tree,
Not a present to be found as far as she could see.
She didn't give up hope as she heard a knocking sound.
When she opened up her door, a great big box she found.
She called out to her mother and dad, brothers and sisters too,
She said, "My prayers were answered, there's something in here for all of you."
Her daddy got brand new boots, her mother new underpants, her sisters got beautiful hair bows, her brothers warm gloves for their hands.
Buried deep beneath the box was a brand new baby doll and a note that said, "Merry Christmas, I love you one and all."
I'll never forget that story because much to my surprise,
I saw the true meaning of Christmas shining in my mother's eyes.
For those of you who are wondering, as if you didn't know,
The little girl in Mama's story was my mother long ago.

This poem is about a childhood memory I will never forget. God bless all the mothers in this world, and may all your Christmases be ones to remember.