Once Upon a Mother's Love...

It's November. Writer's Digest's Poem-a-day prompt begins again!

For today’s prompt, write a once upon a time poem. 

With a change in pronouns this could be  'dad' or 'parents' poem as well
but because my dear mother turns 77 today, I wrote it for her.
The older she and I get, the more I cherish the person she is
and the more I realize how much I took for granted!)

(my mother, being of a meek and modest nature
might not object to one small pic of her peeking from behind some blooms)

Happy 77th, mom!

Oh, once upon a younger love

Before Time turned the page

That stirs revised collections of

A fond and foreign age

There, from a well of priceless ink

No child can comprehend

The poetry of childhood’s wink

Was unconsciously penned

Oh, once upon our mother’s prime

We spent her best of days

Oblivious to Father Time

And his insistent ways

We out-grew shoes and buttered bread

And learned to do our share

Blind to the sacrificial thread

That wove her loving care

Oh, once upon a simpler day

(We didn’t see it then)

While balancing work, play and pray

We became women, men

And looking back thanks often falls

Beyond the reach of word

Where once upon much greener halls

Childhood’s swift seasons blurred

…as once upon a mother’s love

Her fledglings learned to fly

Up, up, love's brave and tender shove

Propelled us to the sky

While we, intent upon the stars

Did not fathom her part

Until we bore love’s battle-scars

And wore a mother’s heart

© Janet Martin

Yesterday morning was our annual mom's birthday tea with my sisters and sister-in-laws;

ten of us in total and always a special time of food and fellowship

as we reconnect after a busy summer and plan for Christmas etc.

My contribution to the food was 

Oatmeal Raisin Pie

Mix and pour in unbaked 9" crust...

(handful of raisins sprinkled on crust optional)

1/4 cup melted butter

1/2 cup sugar

 3 eggs, beaten

1 cup oatmeal

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (and/or nutmeg)

1/4 teaspoon cloves

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup corn syrup

Bake approx. 45 min at 350F