My Divine Mother

“It may be possible to gild pure gold, but who can make his mother more beautiful?” —Mahatma Gandhi

Mama You Were There (Rough Mix)

Georgia Marie Norris Swigart, my divine mother, was the finest woman I had ever known, or even imagined, until meeting my beloved companion. Mom is, and will always be, a guiding light in the darkness of this world. It would be pretty impossible for me to express, in prosaic form, my love, devotion, and appreciation for my Mom; so, instead, I’d like to share the lyrics to a song I wrote for her, “Mama You Were There,” and over there in the audio player you’ll find a rough mix of the track. After that, you’ll find a little about her, a poem I wrote for her, some poetry others have written for their mothers, and some sweet mama quotes! Hope you enjoy, and that this generates some happy tears, goosebumps, or loving realizations regarding your mother, mother figures in your life, grandmothers, friends who are mothers, and our Universal Mother Herself!

Mama You Were There — Official Lyrics

Verse 1.
You taught me how to walk and talk, Mama.
You cooled my fever through the night.
You dried my tears when I broke my finger.
You killed the monsters with a night light.

Verse 2.
You taught me how to sing and pray, Mama.
You loved me even when I strayed.
You held a teenage boy who was searchin’ wild and crazy.
And when I lost my sight you helped me find the way.

Chorus.
And Mama you were there to love and guide me,
You held me in your arms and helped me see,
You sacrificed so many things to provide for me,
Thank you Mama, how I love you, endlessly.

Verse 3.
You taught me how to live and love, Mama,
You always stood behind your son,
You have always been a mother I could count on,
If I could choose from all of them, you’d be the one.

Chorus 2.
Cause Mama you were there to love and guide me,
You held me in your arms and helped me see,
You sacrificed so many things to provide for me,
Thank you Mama, how I love you, endlessly.

While growing up, I loved my Mom, thought all Moms were like her, and took her for granted. After my hormones kicked in, and blindness stole my external vision; I lost my way for a while. Later on, when exploring the broader world, facing my fears, and learning how to help people heal; I began realizing just how unique and special my Mom really was. 

My Mom was a devoted wife, loving mother, committed church leader, dedicated teacher, and loyal friend.  She served her God, her family, and her country with dignity, grace, and integrity. She was strong, courageous, determined, and resourceful.  She loved to pray, sing, sew, read, and grow tomatoes.  She led family devotions each evening just before bedtime.  She lived her life helping others.

Here’s a poem I wrote for her …

“She is bacon and eggs sizzling in the early morning stillness.  
She is sunshine through a dusty window pane.
She is a lighthouse in the darkness of my fear and desperation.
She is a daisy in the sweetened springtime rain.
She is band aids, hugs, and kisses after falling.
She is the comfort in the cloth upon my brow.
She is hope for going on when life has broken dreams and promises.
She is faithful, shining down upon us now.
She is fluffy, warm towels in a basket from the dryer.
She is coffee in the kitchen in the dawn.
She is ice cream in the freezer on a sultry summer evening.
She is the model from which miracles are drawn.
She is the fire in my heart that gives me strength to fight for justice.
She is the wind that lifts me up and sings my song.
She is the earth that brings me shelter, life, and rainbows to remember.
She is the water flowing evermore along,She is the water flowing evermore along.”

And here’s a touching rhyme written by poet Maggie Pittman …
“Her hands held me gently from the day I took my first breath.
Her hands helped to guide me as I took my first step.
Her hands held me close when the tears would start to fall.
Her hands were quick to show me that she would take care of it all.

Her hands were there to brush my hair, or straighten a wayward bow.
Her hands were often there to comfort the hurts that didn’t always show.
Her hands helped hold the stars in place, and encouraged me to reach.
Her hands would clap and cheer and praise when I captured them at length.

Her hands would also push me, though not down or in harm’s way.
Her hands would punctuate the words, just do what I say.
Her hands sometimes had to discipline, to help bend this young tree.
Her hands would shape and mold me into all she knew I could be.

Her hands are now twisting with age and years of work,
Her hand now needs my gentle touch to rub away the hurt.
Her hands are more beautiful than anything can be.
Her hands are the reason I am me.”

And now for a few inspiring quotations …
“Being a mama can be tough, but remember: in the eyes of your child, no one does it better” 
Unknown 

“We are born of love, love is our mother”
Rumi

“A mother is she who can take the place of another’s, but whose place no one else can take”
Cardinal Meymillod

“I remember my mothers prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life”
Abraham Lincoln 

“Sometimes the strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws”
Barbra Kingsolver

“Motherhood, all love begins and ends there”
Robert Browning 

If you enjoyed this, you might also like “Love Is Everything.”
If you have some touching Mama quotes, poems, or inspiring stories; please feel free to submit them as comments to this post.

Photo Credit: Alternative Shrink