Poem: All the Love

When I was little, my mom
would misspell the ending of her name
with an “ie” instead of a “y”
in attempt to help people remember
how to spell my name.
 
I think that exemplifies
who my mom is,
willing to sacrifice pieces of herself
for those she loves.
 
I don’t remember seeing weakness in her
as I grew up. It’s only as an adult
that she’s allowed me to see her fears,
where she doesn’t feel she measures up,
where she feels she’s failed.
 
I don’t see the weaknesses
even now she’s confessed them.
All I see is a new role model
who lived her life fearing she wasn’t enough
while being everything to everyone who needed her.
While being the best example
of brave.
 
I don’t think she’ll ever run out of things
to teach me. Luckily, as an adult,
I listen a little better.
And to me, she is lacking nothing.
To me, she is everything.