What Will You Be, O Mother Of Mine?
"Every child deserves a champion—an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be." - Rita Pierson
What Will You Be, O Mother of Mine?
On this day,
In Our Nation’s capital,
Into a war torn land, A baby girl is born,
A shining star amongst the darkness.
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Oldest of three,
What would you be?
Head strong & fearless,
A smile for the ages.
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Off to Philly,
A beauty queen emerges,
A starlet in the making,
Playing roles, traveling abroad.
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A short romance,
The fire brings Smoke.
Still a girl, barely out on your own,
Now raising a family of three.
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Alabama to Iowa, farmhouse awaits,
Smoke, Clay & Rain in tow,
Chico, Rosebud and beloved Tree,
Our horses and raccoon.
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Now Hoboken or bust,
A road we must cross,
Big city, bright lights,
The struggle is real.
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Now on your own,
Boston is home.
Learning Project and Harvard,
The House on a hill,
How to pay those bills?
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Escape to the south,
An island oasis,
Sun and sand,
this will be our land.
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From Booker to MJC,
To finding your place,
The Little School is born,
Teaching the children of Longboat Key.
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Loves gained and lost,
Memories remain,
God’s grace delivers home,
Amber & Star, bright lights from afar.
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Growing family,
Learning work,
Dinner, dishes and dogs,
Oskar loves you too.
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Tumultuous times,
A run to Homestead,
Andrew’s eye visits,
Nothing left in its wake.
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Returning homeward,
Mississippi shall be,
A new start,
Protecting your own.
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First a teacher,
Then a principal,
Finally leading whole districts,
Raising all who cross your path.
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Now teaching others,
The principals and supers,
Always fighting for
Love and arts, kindness and compassion.
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How many lives,
Touched by your grace,
Wisdom and insight,
Matched not in any place.
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Thousands of students,
From all walks of life,
Living their best selves.
Blessed by your love.
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A proud legacy,
Great grand kids en route,
A loving family, a growing cloud,
Time together, life’s meaning unshrouded.
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Grateful always, can’t wait to see,
A wonderful ninth decade,
Cascading legacy of love,
What you will be?