the first

she's the first to hold you close
the first to love you heart and soul
she's the first to wipe your tears away
the first to teach you how to pray
she's the first to teach you wrong and right
the first to scold you for a fight
she's the first to buy your socks and shoes
the first to cheer even when you lose
she's the first to bake your favourite meal
the first to give you a disciplinary spiel
she's the first to praise your finger-paint art
the first to try to put back the pieces of your heart
she's the first to teach you how to sweep the floor
the first to worry when you leave to explore
she's the first to warn you "drive carefully"
the first to stay up waiting earnestly
she's the first to tuck you into bed
the first to forgive what you've heartlessly said
she's the first to encourage you to fly
the first cry as you wave goodbye
she's the first to pray for your future hopes and dreams
the first to calm all your emotional extremes
she's the first to notice something is wrong
the first to to lend her strength when you aren't strong
she's the first to offer her everything
making all the difference but not even realizing

Thanks Mom, for being there, always first.