She blinks fast while she watches TV
She squints whilst looking at her computer screen
As if it will cause the letters to appear bigger
She tucks her hair behind her ears when she is nervous
She is rarely nervous.

She puts up a strong front that she cannot always maintain
Sometimes she glances at me with questions in her eyes
She speaks excitedly on the phone
Yet she sighs each time it rings

She makes lists
Lists of things that are not nearly as important
As she believes them to be
She puts up with people who do not deserve her compassion
Even me at times

She thinks of others first
Herself later if she finds the time
Every sentence begins with “You” rather than “I”
She is unselfish

She widens her eyes in false surprise when I try to fool her
She is never surprised
She tastes things while she cooks
Her eyes light up with pride when she realizes it is perfect

She is an inspiration to me
I’m not quite sure she knows it
She does her best all of the time
Not merely some of the time
She is extraordinary
She is my Mother.