Crystal Writes A Blog

A Non-Traditional Mom

Most people have an idea in their minds about what it means to be a mom or a mother (or a mum in much of the world). And those ideas are mostly based on our personal experiences either having a mom or being a mom. Some, though, are like me; not having or being a traditional mom. And in  those cases, the ideas might be a little skewed. Or so I thought.

While searching for a poem from my teen years, written to the child I knew I’d never give birth to, I found a different poem I had written to a friend for the day she became the mother of a bride. It may be from TV and books and time with friends, or maybe my short time getting to raise 4 of my nephews for awhile, but it seems I have a fair understanding of at least some parts of motherhood. In this poem, despite not having my own children, I think I captured their mother/daughter moments pretty well. So, I’ve decided to share that with you all for this Mother’s Day post. Feel free to download it or tweak it for someone you know if it has a sentiment worth sharing.

HER NEW WORLD

Her first steps you remember walking toward you,
And you were just so proud.
Then she began to grow, suddenly yet slow,
Toward life's ever-changing crowd.

First, it was just a game she would play,
"Catch me if you can."
She'd giggle and squeal, looking back to see you,
While away from you she ran.

Next were the neighbors' and friends' yards and homes,
"Momma, can I go play?"
Though a little bit worried, you smiled with delight
Watching her and her friends skip away.

Then hot chocolate, pj's, and sleepover parties,
To the movies and malls with friends...
As you watched the apron strings pull ever tighter,
Getting stretched oh-so-dangerously thin.

Finally, one bright day, she noticed this boy,
To her, he's the world trimmed in gold.
And though you're happy for her, a teardrop falls,
As the apron strings now lose their hold.

Now she walks toward you in her bridal dress,
On this bitter-sweet wedding day,
Soon you'll watch her run, hand-in-hand and in love,
And you'll weep as they drive away.

And you know if you could, you'd have it both ways...
Her a woman, and yet your little girl.
But you can't, so you pray, "God, take care of my child,
As she walks into this, her new world."

By Crystal A. Murray (2002)

May 10, 2026 - Posted by Crystal A Murray (aka CrystalWriter) | Creative Writing, memories, Nonfiction, Poetry, Slice of Life, Walking With The Lord | Christianity, letting go, loving, mother of the bride, Mother's Day, motherhood, poem, poetry, praying, Slice of Life