She never raised her arms in violence,
But she taught us how to fight.
She always did her deeds in silence
Teaching her children wrong from right.

Stand up, be proud, have courage
Were words we oft times heard her say
You must be good unto your neighbor,
Helping him along his way.

Your door should be always open
For kin, friend and stranger too.
Give whatever's on your table
Share what God has given to you.

We were raised with joy and singing.
Our doors were always opened wide.
And now, that she lays dying,
My pain and tears I cannot hide.

She was the rock that our home stood on,
A shelter from the world outside.
Her example always taught us
Try harder, walk with pride.

She kept our home and kin together,
Love and caring was her glue.
In the closing hours of her life,
There's no more that I can do.

She prayed not to be a burden
When old and feeble she would be.
O Lord, take our Mom to heaven
Where once again she's free.

Free to walk among the roses
That in Springtime she so loved.
Thru our lives I know she'll guide us
We'll feel her help from heav'n above.

Her loving deeds we'll e'er remember
Feed the hungry, clothe the poor.
A tribute always to our mother
Will be our Open Door.

So come in, sit down, be nourished
Rest a while from daily cares.
My mother said you'd need a friend
So, my time with you I'll share.

Today I teach my children lessons
That I learned at Mother's knee
And their doors will be forever open
The same as she taught to me.

Carol Cole