Once I Was

Once I was a sister, to a little girl oh so lovely ! She was the brightest star in our lives, filling our home with love and laughter. Always caring, she put not her needs first, but tended to that of others. Never a harsh word passed her lips, whatever the provocation, never she did lose her patience, even in the face of the worst aggravation. Once I was a sister to an angel who walked the earth awhile , until the gods turned jealous, and took away the light of our lives . 

Once I was a daughter, to a doting father , a fine man with integrity, who worked selflessly for the welfare of his family. A father who saw, only the finest in me, as he did in everyone. A father who never lost his faith in his darling daughter, even when she failed and fell far short of expectation. A father who with pride recounted even my small accomplishments, to any who stopped to listen. Once I was a daughter to a father who never saw, beyond his love for his children, until the day he was called to heaven, much too quickly.

Once I was a daughter, to a mother who was strong yet gentle, a mother who taught her children, especially her daughters to be fearless and self sufficient, to stand up for our rights, and never to buckle under oppression . A mother who pursued her career, without compromising her home, proving to us, that the one need not be sacrificed, for the other. Once I was a daughter to a mother who was kind and gracious to all, a mother who taught us the power of prayer and a spiritual life. A mother who was the mainstay of my existence , until that wretched day, she was snatched away from this world. 

Once I was a little sister to a brother, one most  considerate, and never tyrannical. Ready to lend a hand to all, he bore no ill will to any who crossed him, but walked away with dignity from conflicts, to maintain peace. Once I was a little sister to a brother who was dealt a hard hand by life, and though hurt and rejected by the ones he loved the most, he never did resent or lose faith in people. Comfort he seldom sought, complain he never did, to spare us heartache and agony . Then one day came the grim reaper, to claim his life along with that of others, and I was left alone, orphaned.

Now I live, with a remanent of each of them, a part they left behind, the memory of a life that was, and my consolation is their recognisable traits in me. I am now a wife to a husband, who is loving and understanding, helping me in all my endeavours, except those hare brained ones . Am a mother to two wonderful children, who are no less dutiful, and for now, I am the centre of their being . My faults they overlook, my shortcomings they tolerate amiably. My fervent prayer each day is , Lord, let me remain a loyal wife to my husband, a caring mother to my children, until my dying day .