Arms Wide

Dear Mom

I remember how I held my arms wide

To show how much

Love filled me for you

I used to ask myself

How do children know

That this is the best way

To have love show

These newborn feelings

That overflowed for you

Though young

Somehow, I knew arms wide

Could say what I could not

How quickly I learned

Wider arms

Made you bend down

And wrapped me safe

Now I know

Moms gather all their love

From these arms wide

Only to give it all back and more

When it's too much to hold inside

In one huge, long hug

Even when it hurt

'Cause you squeezed me so tight

I would giggle

And Mom, through the years

I remember

Whenever I came home

You stood at the door, arms wide

To show how much

You loved me

We held our hugs tight

Until we would cry

And we both knew why.

Mom, it's been too long

But soon I will be home

For you to meet

Your granddaughter

I used to ask myself

How do children know

That this is the best way

To have love show

I keep close to my heart

Your best-kept secret

That it was you

Who taught me this way to love

And now, when I ask her

How much do you love me

My heart melts

Mom –

We are only arms apart

I love you this much

I wrote this --- for you

To show you what I hold inside

We are coming home, Mom.

--- Arms Wide ---

© 2026 John Osinga. All rights reserved. St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada.