What Goodness Means to Me

She’s always had the biggest heart.

Starts her days as wilful as dawn

and her light shines just as brightly.

Caring isn’t just her vocation,

it’s her state of being.

Every day her thoughts of others

radiate in her every action.

Mother, wife, grandma.

With the quiet strength of Atlas

and a kindness that blooms like May.

If she’s taught me anything

it’s that goodness isn’t just a

Catholic replacement for swearing

but a choice in how you live your life.

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This poem captures my mother's strength of character. She's always putting others first from the moment she wakes up which is usually around 4am. She's a keyworker who's cared as a respite provider, foster mum, and currently works in adult services. Even off the clock she's caring for others from raising me and my 2 sisters, looking after her grandchildren, and constantly getting presents for the whole family's birthdays ahead of time when she spots a bargain that aligns with that person's likes and interests. As a staunch Catholic she never swears. Her replacement for swearing is saying the word "Goodness" and her favourite hymn Bring Flowers of the Rarest is to be one of her funeral songs... though we hope that's many decades to come! Her goodness isn't just in her use of a non-swearword but it's apparent in the millions of minute things she does each day that demonstrate her endearing and enduring heart.