Right

There was a time 

Arguing and dusty corners went together well

When blankets with chairs for support beams made elaborate tents

And laundry dripped dry while the queen gave orders to her slave boy

And mom, 

She was always there 

Allowing us to be children

Encouraging us to be ourselves

Even if that meant trading her vision of a little girl in pink frilly dresses 

For a tom-boy with tangled curls in pants and t-shirts

Embracing dirty faces, bare feet, make believe and mischief

Providing the blankets and setting up support beams

Cleaning up the messes

Separating and sending fighters to their corners when needed

We were hers 

And when there came a time I questioned her judgement

She would reply

"You'll understand when you have kids someday"

And she was right

About everything

Kids need to be kids

They need to create, imagine and make make messes

Be encouraged to be themselves

They need discipline 

To hear no

And then hear I love you

They need you to be there

And 

I do understand 

I love you mom - Happy Mothers Day