As I watched you

Lead the way

Across the yard

Past the barn

And the open pasture

To show my girls

The bountiful growth

And hidden treasures

That lay your garden

The sun was setting

Between the hills

You pointed to the snap peas

Plucking one from the vine

For each of us

“A garden snack”

That’s what you called it

Chuckling as you sneakily took a bite

I realized I never got to thank you

For loving me in through the hard spots

When my own mother couldn’t

Here you are again

Loving me and advising me

Through another hard spot

Unbeknownst to you

You’re the kindest woman I’ve ever known

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I never got to tell you

Until now.