Post #707 – on <\/strong>August 23. 2025<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n
For my Mother at Eighty,\u00a0 recalls one Christmas Eve at my Mother’s home, December 24, 1999.. <\/em><\/p>\nMom did not know, nor did we, that this was the last time our family would ever be together Christmas\u00a0 Eve.\u00a0 However, I had a silent, lingering\u00a0 premonition that this was Mom’s last Christmas with our family together.<\/em><\/p>\nMom and Dad had built our family home in 1957, when I was fourteen, . All four of their children grew up in this house.<\/p>\n
Shortly after Christmas Eve in 1999,<\/p>\n
Esther Luella Kirker McKinney was diagnosed with dementia.<\/p>\n
For this special night with our family, I wrote a poem about our home and family life.\u00a0 I made copies that I distributed to each family member that evening.<\/p>\n
My copy of that poem, printed on Christmas stationary, is framed and is on display ever since that night in my home.<\/p>\n
Mine is a precious treasure to me, for it shares the love and bonds we all enjoyed\u00a0 together growing up in that house. I am the oldest of four children. Mom and Dad had two daughters, and two sons. As I write the article today, my sister, Patti, and I are the two\u00a0 remaining\u00a0 children.<\/p>\n
Since that night in 1999,\u00a0 our family\u00a0 never again gathered\u00a0 together for Christmas or any other holiday.<\/p>\n
\n“There is something about losing a mother that is permanent and inexpressible \u2014 a wound that will never quite heal.” \u2014 \/Susan Wiggs<\/a>, “The Goodbye Quilt”-<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nIn this poem I am\u00a0 celebrating my FIRST\u00a0 published poem\u00a0 to appear in\u00a0 Magnets and Ladders_Spring\/Summer Edition, 2012\u00a0 Read it here.<\/a><\/p>\nThank you, Mary-Jo Lord, Editor of Magnets and Ladders: Active Voices of writers with disabilities. My work has appeared regularly in the journal since that first poem was published. Read the latest publication of Magnets and Ladders\u00a0Spring\/Summer Edition 2025<\/a><\/p>\n_<\/p>\n
Did you know?<\/h3>\n
Beginning in 2025, I will be publishing many of my previously -published poems from\u00a0 past years.<\/p>\n
I have a large publication history, dating back to 1980.<\/p>\n
I am pleased to share this very special poem in memory of my mother today – Mother’s Day.<\/p>\n
As I share this poem, I whisper, “Happy Mother’s Day Mom!”<\/p>\n
–<\/h2>\nThe Poem:<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
For My Mother at Eighty <\/strong><\/h4>\nby Lynda McKinney Lambert<\/strong><\/p>\nMy mother has forgotten what day it is
\nher children\u2019s birthdays have vanished
\nstrangers have moved into her house.<\/p>\n
She\u2019s forgotten about teeth and hair
\nno longer needs to carry a purse \u2013
\nMy mother has forgotten what day it is.<\/p>\n
Her treasured possessions
\nlaid out on tables, put up for sale \u2013
\nStrangers have moved into her house.<\/p>\n
Her drawers emptied of clothing,
\nfood removed from her kitchen \u2013
\nMy mother has forgotten what day it is.<\/p>\n
Her long days maneuver slowly
\nbetween rows of walkers \u2013
\nStrangers have moved into her house.<\/p>\n
Women watch her face from behind the cards
\nshe does not know how to win \u2013
\nMy mother has forgotten what day it is.
\nStrangers have moved into her house<\/p>\n
\u00a0More About Lynda<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lyndalambert.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Pantone_Seld-Portrait_Sept_22.jpg?resize=211%2C300&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n
Photo by Lynda McKinney Lambert. From the Pan tone Series_ Self Portrait.
\nPan tome Series_Self Portrait_Photo of Lynda McKinney Lambert.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
Below is Lynda\u2019s Bio as it\u00a0 appears\u00a0 in the summer of 2025 in<\/strong><\/h5>\nFood, Flowers, Medicine: And Other Gifts From the Garden, Anthology, 2025<\/em><\/h5>\nWant to know more bout this new book?\u00a0 \u00a0Read\u00a0 here<\/a><\/p>\n__<\/p>\n
Lynda McKinney Lambert writes and creates visual art from her vintage home in the Village of Wurtemburg, in Western Pennsylvania. She writes poetry and personal nonfiction essays. She currently has six published books available at all retail booksellers. Her artworks have appeared in international exhibitions, including Japan, New Guinea, Austria, and the United States.\u00a0 Lynda retired from her position as Professor of Fine Art and Humanities at Geneva College in 2008 due to profound sight loss. She invites readers to discover the subtle nuances\u00a0 and beauty of a physical and spiritual world as she weaves strands from history, nature, and her personal life experiences.<\/p>\n
_<\/p>\n
\u00a9<\/a>Lynda McKinney Lambert, 2025.<\/p>\nMagnets and Ladders,\u00a0 Read it in Magnets and Ladders<\/a><\/p>\n
Mom did not know, nor did we, that this was the last time our family would ever be together Christmas\u00a0 Eve.\u00a0 However, I had a silent, lingering\u00a0 premonition that this was Mom’s last Christmas with our family together.<\/em><\/p>\n Mom and Dad had built our family home in 1957, when I was fourteen, . All four of their children grew up in this house.<\/p>\n Shortly after Christmas Eve in 1999,<\/p>\n Esther Luella Kirker McKinney was diagnosed with dementia.<\/p>\n For this special night with our family, I wrote a poem about our home and family life.\u00a0 I made copies that I distributed to each family member that evening.<\/p>\n My copy of that poem, printed on Christmas stationary, is framed and is on display ever since that night in my home.<\/p>\n Mine is a precious treasure to me, for it shares the love and bonds we all enjoyed\u00a0 together growing up in that house. I am the oldest of four children. Mom and Dad had two daughters, and two sons. As I write the article today, my sister, Patti, and I are the two\u00a0 remaining\u00a0 children.<\/p>\n Since that night in 1999,\u00a0 our family\u00a0 never again gathered\u00a0 together for Christmas or any other holiday.<\/p>\n “There is something about losing a mother that is permanent and inexpressible \u2014 a wound that will never quite heal.” \u2014 \/Susan Wiggs<\/a>, “The Goodbye Quilt”-<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n In this poem I am\u00a0 celebrating my FIRST\u00a0 published poem\u00a0 to appear in\u00a0 Magnets and Ladders_Spring\/Summer Edition, 2012\u00a0 Read it here.<\/a><\/p>\n Thank you, Mary-Jo Lord, Editor of Magnets and Ladders: Active Voices of writers with disabilities. My work has appeared regularly in the journal since that first poem was published. Read the latest publication of Magnets and Ladders\u00a0Spring\/Summer Edition 2025<\/a><\/p>\n _<\/p>\n Beginning in 2025, I will be publishing many of my previously -published poems from\u00a0 past years.<\/p>\n I have a large publication history, dating back to 1980.<\/p>\n I am pleased to share this very special poem in memory of my mother today – Mother’s Day.<\/p>\n As I share this poem, I whisper, “Happy Mother’s Day Mom!”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n by Lynda McKinney Lambert<\/strong><\/p>\n My mother has forgotten what day it is She\u2019s forgotten about teeth and hair Her treasured possessions Her drawers emptied of clothing, Her long days maneuver slowly Women watch her face from behind the cards \u00a0More About Lynda<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Photo by Lynda McKinney Lambert. From the Pan tone Series_ Self Portrait. <\/p>\n Want to know more bout this new book?\u00a0 \u00a0Read\u00a0 here<\/a><\/p>\n __<\/p>\n Lynda McKinney Lambert writes and creates visual art from her vintage home in the Village of Wurtemburg, in Western Pennsylvania. She writes poetry and personal nonfiction essays. She currently has six published books available at all retail booksellers. Her artworks have appeared in international exhibitions, including Japan, New Guinea, Austria, and the United States.\u00a0 Lynda retired from her position as Professor of Fine Art and Humanities at Geneva College in 2008 due to profound sight loss. She invites readers to discover the subtle nuances\u00a0 and beauty of a physical and spiritual world as she weaves strands from history, nature, and her personal life experiences.<\/p>\n _<\/p>\n \u00a9<\/a>Lynda McKinney Lambert, 2025.<\/p>\n Magnets and Ladders,\u00a0 Read it in Magnets and Ladders<\/a><\/p>\n\n
Did you know?<\/h3>\n
–<\/h2>\n
The Poem:<\/h2>\n
For My Mother at Eighty <\/strong><\/h4>\n
\nher children\u2019s birthdays have vanished
\nstrangers have moved into her house.<\/p>\n
\nno longer needs to carry a purse \u2013
\nMy mother has forgotten what day it is.<\/p>\n
\nlaid out on tables, put up for sale \u2013
\nStrangers have moved into her house.<\/p>\n
\nfood removed from her kitchen \u2013
\nMy mother has forgotten what day it is.<\/p>\n
\nbetween rows of walkers \u2013
\nStrangers have moved into her house.<\/p>\n
\nshe does not know how to win \u2013
\nMy mother has forgotten what day it is.
\nStrangers have moved into her house<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nPan tome Series_Self Portrait_Photo of Lynda McKinney Lambert.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nBelow is Lynda\u2019s Bio as it\u00a0 appears\u00a0 in the summer of 2025 in<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Food, Flowers, Medicine: And Other Gifts From the Garden, Anthology, 2025<\/em><\/h5>\n