MY MOTHER - CHRISTINA
by Rita (Rose) McCarthy
There's an irreplaceable woman in my memory of long ago
A mother of nine children and her heart was made of gold .
With outstretched arms, a great big smile, and a voice that echoed clear
She loved each one of us the same, and always held us near.
A fisherman's wife she chose to be, and it wasn't an easy task
From early morning ‘til late at night she worked to make it last
She'd plant» the gardens, shear the-sheep and turn the hay just right
She'd fill the flake, make lots of bread, and tuck us in at night.
She taught us the "Our Father“ and said the rosary
Every night beside our bed she prayed on bended knee
She'd mention the souls in Purgatory and all the men at sea
Burt most of all, she prayed for us - her treasured family.
She tended to the sick and she always helped the poor
She said it was important, and it never was a chore
The quilts she made, the socks she knit weren't always just for us
For she would share with everyone and never make a fuss.
She'd sit around the table with lamplight every night
To help us with our homework and make sure we did it right
And if we were quick to get it done and know it all by heart
She'd smile and tell us everyone ‘By God, you're really smart“.
I see her chatting by the gate with Mary, Jean or Bride.
I'm sure discussing all the kids with fond and loving pride
They'd talk about their gardens or a game of cards to play
Or sometimes they would take a stroll in the meadow full of hay.
Some evenings after supper when all the chores were done
She's get dressed up and off she'd go to visit her dad and mum
She's sip her tea and chat a bit and maybe sing a song
And I was happy most of all when I could come along.
I see her standing in the hall at every garden party
She'd dance and sing and have some fun and forget about the laundry
I watched her closely all the time and listened to her song
And many times I told myself ‘I want to be like Mom“.
The fondest memory of my Mom was Christmas Eve each year
She'd dress us up in brand new clothes and Midnight Mass we'd share
We kids were so excited to get home quick from Church
‘Cause waiting in the parlour were her special treats for us.
The pet names that she used for us were sometimes kinda funny
But never mind what people said, it was as good as saying ‘honey’
But if she used our ‘other’ names in a certain kind of tone “
We knew we were in trouble and we better get on home.
Every time I sing a song, I close my eyes and see
Another day, so far away, when she would sing with me
I sing the lyrics word for word and I think I hear her say
Sing with joy - have lots of fun, like we did back in the bay.
I see her in my dreams at night, looking so serene
Standing high above the beach, where we played in Merasheen C
She waves to us and calls our names and makes the some remark
‘Be careful by the water, and make sure you're home by dark’.
As I walk the streets of home these days and I see the friends that parted
To another place so far away that left us heavy hearted
They look at me and smile a bit and don't hesitate to utter W
‘My God, I can't believe it, you look just like your mother‘.
Today she's resting peacefully in a graveyard on the hill
Overlooking the water so peaceful and so still
On Christmas Day at 51, she left us with a smile
And we were sad but we heard her say, “It's only for a while‘.
I'm sure she's looking down today and out across the bay
She sees us walking on the hills and jumping in the hay
Her voice it echoes loud and clear and her smile I always see
And in my dreams I hear her sing a lullaby to me.
When my children ask me questions about their Grandma Chris
I sit up straight and smile at them and start to reminisce
For I tell them about a lady so many years ago I
Who was irreplaceable and her heart was made of Gold.