mother's day

this day is about gifts, but not the material kind, not the kind wrapped in fancy paper and ribbons---those are symbols of the gift. for each of us it all stems from one gift---in my case, one given now thirty-five years ago. 
that day, mama, you became a mother for the first time. and two years later you were a mother again and i was a sister to your son. you gave me life and cared for me as i grew and still care for me now. i hope that day was a gift for you as well. i hope i have given to you since then as you have given to me. 
i love you, mama, and happy mother's day.

back of photo reads:  in the hospital caleb-12 hrs old