Her soul is quiet now since her mother’s passing and she feels the sting of her greatest rejection. It is one thing to be rejected by a potential mate, that burns. But the loss of a parent burns more. So much more. She can’t help but feel that her mother rejected her life on earth and chose instead to obtain safety and comfort in the heavenly realm. And she understands. She would make the same choice if given the option. Still, she is so lonely now and wants nothing more than to see her mother’s face again and hear the gentle, sweet sound of her laughter. Her heart has been torn to pieces and scattered in the wind and she has no idea where to find them or how to put them back together. She remembers, however, that her mother told her to keep trying and never give up. She also remembers a poem her mother wrote after the passing of her mother, Leola Hammond. The words of her mother’s poem now ring true for her.

Leola’s Daughter by Janice Hopkins

The pain and grief were often too much to bear.

Still,

She was there.

So imperfect, so she felt

in this hand that she'd been dealt.

She would often say...

"I'm the stupidest person I know."

When she said this, my face would glow.

I loved her stupidity and imperfection,

it made me understand the need for correction.

If she didn't know all that there is to know,

then maybe there's a chance for me to learn to row

my little red boat through life's uncharted waters,

so that one day I can be called Leola's daughter.

I still call her, all the time

and she answers, "Girlchild, it's your dime."

I tell her every little thing

and she answers, "Yes, sometimes this life does sting."

But "keep moving," I hear her say...

"Keep moving and take time to pray."

"Lift your face and cup your ear.

All of life's answers you will eventually hear."