A Mother's Love

She lay in her hospital bed, eyes half closed. Fluttering in and out of consciousness, one foot firmly planted in this world, the other tip-toeing into the other.

Her adult son gripped her frail hand. His shoulders shook with his silent sobs, his handsome face stricken with grief. He was not ready to say goodbye.

Her voice was soft and kind, melodic to those in the room. Comforting. Whispering to him, slipping unknowingly between German and English. She was peaceful and ready. She would not let go until the children were ready as well. She sang a song to comfort them. Even at the end, she was a mother first.