She calls herself Southern Belle
But she is just Mom to me, who raised us well
She had ten children, her life was rough
But her love for us, she could never give enough
Sitting on the porch swing, with us kids at her feet
Talking of the old days, when life was sweet

Stories of life in the West Virginia mountains she told
Stories of the people and places never got old
Mom says "I have wonderful kids" everyday
But we are a product of her, she made us this way
My mom is tough and will fight a circle saw if done wrong
She is a West Virginia woman, proud and strong

My Mom loves to sing, she loves to dance
And talk your ear off if you give her a chance
I love to cuddle up with her, as she strokes my hair
She calls me baby girl and I simply stare
I look in my Mom's eyes and feel all is alright
She love me unconditionally, loves me with all her might
I tease her and say, "Who is your favorite, you can tell me"
She smiles and says I love all my kids equally
What she sacrificed for her kids, what she had to endure
She said my life was my kids, that's what it was for
We didn't have much growing up, we didn't have "things"
But we had love in the house, and that ole porch swing
For on that porch swing, we were taught the ways of the hills
About Papaw and Mamaw, you can't buy that with dollar bills

No matter what you call her, Mom or Southern Belle
Be mindful who you are speaking to and treat her well
For she is someone special to so many like me
One of her kids, one of ten you see
Ask her about us and she will talk with a gleam in her eyes
How lucky are we that she loves us, her kids..her pride
Happy Mother's Day Mom!!

I love you,
Rita
May 10, 2009