Dear Mama

Dear Mama,
I am writing you this letter from my heart
Dear Mama,
I cannot forget the way you finally had to depart
I cannot forget the way I never said goodbye
driving to Atlanta on the day you died
crying, trying to make it there

Dear Mama,
I remember how you worried all the time
Dear Mama,
I remember your worst fear was that you’d lose your mind
You forgot my birthday, then forgot my children’s names
forgot the smell of springtime morning when it rains
no seasons and no reasons to really care

Bridge
Thank God it happened slowly
and you barely knew
that you’d forgotten me
and you’d forgotten you
and now that you’re in heaven
you know everything
That’s what I believe
and that’s why I sing

Dear Mama,
You remember now the children that you raised
Dear Mama,
You are sitting with the wondrous God you always praised
You recall each tiny moment of the love we shared
laughing round the table, everybody there
Mama,
Alleluia,
dear Mama

You recall each tiny moment of the love we shared
laughing round the table, everybody there
Mama,
Alleluia,
dear Mama

For my mother, Mittie Morris McDearis, 1917 – 2016.