My mom had five kids

Divorce within the first year of the youngest life

Found a house

Went to school

And worked full time

While making everything from scratch

Because the microwave wasn’t invented yet

I looked in the mirror

I am single

Never had kids

And am writing because I know

All the mess I make is mine

Mom is not there to tell me to pick up my things

Or clean my room

And remind me to put things away away

Have I accomplished anything she has

No

But I still respect her for everything I learned

-Jennie Nawrocki