National Adult Literacy Database

May 5, 2008

The following story was written by Alice O'Dell, from West St. Modeste, (Newfoundland and) Labrador. Alice has two daughters - Danielle and Chantelle, as well as seven brothers and sisters. Her family is very important to her. In her spare time, Alice likes to play the guitar. She also composes songs. At the moment, she works at the Youth Centre, organizing activities.

Mom

by Alice O'Dell

I'll go back to years of my childhood
When my mom had to raise nine kids
She worked very hard each day
And still had time to pray.

The times back then were tough
The food was just enough.
The courage and strength God gave her,
Her love she gave to us.

The scrubbing and cleaning
Was plentiful we know.
For her time and dedication
Our love for her did grow.

And as the years past by,
She watched us leave her home,
The worried look she gave us,
Made us want to stay at home.

We sat around and listened,
To the stories she would tell,
She would make us laugh and giggle,
For the things that she would tell.

There were times she'd often tell us,
Be careful what you do,
The fun times and the worries,
Were brought to her she knew.

So MOM we'd like to tell you
That we love you very much,
And our love and thoughts be with you,
Each day and every year

[This story was taken with permission, from A Book of Changes,which was intended for display at Literacy Action Day, on Parliament Hill. Learners' Advisory Network  (LAN) members felt that true stories fromlearners would make literacy 'come alive' for the politicians who read them.]