You’ve been hurt before,

I can see it in your eyes

The lines in your face

Are a record of your past life

A father who drank too much

And left you shuddering and hiding

Married to a military man,

You saw the world, one base at a time

Bringing with you seven adopted children

With the children grown,

Losing your husband took a

Part of your heart away,

But you bear the scars beautifully

You now devote your time to

Loving and caring for animals

Not something everyone could do

An amazing person, full of history

I’ve grown to love and admire you

More than words could ever tell

This poem my own small

Way of saying, I’m glad

You came into my life