The Third Generation

The elderly woman
sat by herself
waiting...
for the phone to ring.

The chime clock
ticked
minute by minute
but still
the phone
didn't ring.

In her younger days
while raising her family
a devoted mother
she was....
making sure
the needs of her children
and family
always came first.

But now
the children are grown
with families of their own
their lives
are so busy
there is just no time
for them
to pick up the phone.

The loneliness she feels......
where did I go wrong
is my usefulness really gone?
These are her constant thoughts
as the tears
run down her wrinkled face.

There's a knock at the door
slowly she gets up to answer
her daughter is standing there
with hands filled with a beautiful bouquet.

"Hi Mom," she says
"thought I would surprise you
and drop in to say hello.
I saw these beautiful flowers

and I know how much
you love flowers."
"Let's have some tea
I have some thoughts
I want to share with you."

"Your grandchildren are wonderful
and miss you so much.
They want to know why
you live alone
and they never get to see you."

"Mom, as a family
we made a decision
to ask you to come
and live with us."

"We have plenty of room
so you can have your own space
but you never
have to be
alone again."

"So what do you say
hope it will be yes.
You can move in
whenever you wish."

"Mom, we love you so much
it would be our honor and privilege
to have you grace our home.
so will you say yes"....

With tears streaming down their faces
both mother and daughter
embrace.

"If you are sure
it won't be a problem
and I won't be under foot
the honour will be all mine!"