一篇关于母亲的英语作文（精彩20篇）

导语：每个人都有写过信，那你有给自己妈妈写过信吗?下面是yuwenmi小编为大家整理的相关优秀英语作文，欢迎阅读与借鉴，谢谢!

Dear mother ,

The mothers day is coming and I would like to say “Happy mothers day” in this letter. I love you and thank you so much for everything you did for me. This day，I will stay away and cant give you my appreciation at home. I know I will watch myself，so dont worry about me. I am doing very well on my study. My schoolmates and teachers are all very nice. Though I cant be at home， I hope you will have a wonderful mothers day.

Your son,

Li ming

【参考翻译】

亲爱的母亲：

母亲节快到了，我想在这封信里对您说“母亲节快乐”。我爱你，感谢你为我做的一切。这一天，我离开了，不能在家给您表达我的谢意。我知道我会看着自己，所以不要担心我。我在学习上做得很好。我的同学和老师都很好。尽管我不在家里，我仍希望您有一个美好的母亲节。

你的儿子，

李明

My mother is 36 this year,but she looks young. She has two big eyes, a smally noose snd a smally mouth. Her hair is long and brown. She is a beauiful woman.

My mother is a nurse. She works in a People Hospital. She often wears a white uniform. No wonder people call nurses “white angle”. She works carefully and she is friendly to her patints. They all like her. She is busy. Every day, she works for eight hour in a day time. Sometimes, she is on duty in the evening. After work in the afternoon she goes back home. She makes a big dinner for father and me. It is a delicious meal, decause she is goodat cooking.

I love my mother, I think she is the best mother in the world.

My mother is a kind and gentle woman。 She is always very gentle。 She takes good care of her children and keeps them all at school。 I have two brothers and two sisters。 So she gets five children in all。 She gives us every comfort we need。 We all love her very much。

My mother has too much to do in bring us up。 As our family is not rich enough， my mother always hits to do a lot of work。 She gets up very early and sleeps very late every day。 She works very hard， yet without complaining。

My mother is also a thrifty and industrious woman。 She saves every penny that she can to keep everything in order。 As she has been busy ever since she was young， she looks older than she really is。 Her face is wrinkled， her hair becomes silver white， some of her teeth become movable。 But she works as hard as ever。

My mother often says to us，" work while you work， play while you play。 If you did not work， you will become lazy and of no use to the society。" What a good piece of advice it is！ We must worth it well and always keep it in our minds。

[描写自己母亲的英语作文

Mother is praised by people around the world, indeed, mother is so great, she gives birth to us, teaching us how to face the world and takes care of us all the time. If you ask me who is the most beautiful person in the world, there is no doubt that my mother is the most beautiful person in my eye. I love her so much, no one can take place of her.

世界上的人都在歌颂妈妈，确实，妈妈是很伟大的，她给予了我们生命，教会我们如何面对世界和无时无刻不在关心着我们。如果你问我谁是世界上最美丽的人，我会毫不犹豫说在我看来，我的妈妈是最美丽的人。我很爱她，没有人可以代替她。

If you are asked who you think is the most beautiful person in the world, I will say that my mother is the most beautiful person in the world, she means so much to me. She is the person who takes care of me all the time, when I feel unhappy, she is the first one realizes it and comfort me. My mother is a homely woman, but she is kind-hearted, I love her so much.

如果你被问到谁是世界上最漂亮的人，我会说我妈妈是世界上最漂亮的人，她对我来说很重要。她随时都关心着我，当我不开心的时候，她是第一个发现我不开心，然后安慰我。我的妈妈长得很普通，但是她很热心，我很爱她。

Everyone comes the world with a mother, it is mother who gives birth to us and then raises us with her patience and caring. There is a Mothers’ Day every year, it is to remind people of their honor to their mothers. There is no doubt that mother is the most beautiful person in the world. We should visit our mother often, though we are busy, company them and talk to them.

每个人来到这个世界上，都有一个妈妈，妈妈是给予我们生命的人，她用她的耐心和关爱养育了我们。每年都有母亲节，这个为了提醒人们要尊敬母亲。毫无疑问，妈妈是世界上最漂亮的人。我们应该经常访问我们的母亲，虽然很忙，陪伴她们，和她们聊聊。

Mother’s Day is coming, and I even want to say, “My mum is the most beautiful woman in the world.”

母亲节就要到来了，我想说，“我的妈妈是世界上最美丽的女人。”

I still remember the day I bought a bunch of carnation for my mum. I will never forget the smile when she accepted the flowers. That Mother’s Day was wonderful. We had a small cake, a warm talk.

我还记得那一天我买了一束康乃馨给我妈妈。我永远都不会忘记她接过花时的微笑。母亲节是非常美好的。我们一起吃了一个小小的蛋糕，温馨地谈话。

I consider mum as the most important person in a family. My mum is a great, great mum. I love her. I wish her happy not only on the Mother’s Day. More importantly, I wish her always happy and healthy.

我觉得妈妈是家庭中最重要的人。我的妈妈是很伟大的。我爱她。我希望她快乐，不仅仅只是在母亲节。更重要的是，我希望她永远健康快乐。

Mother’s Day is coming. I decide to do something special for my mum. Thanks all mothers in the world. Happy Mother’s Day.

母亲节就要来临了。我想为我妈妈做一些特别的事。谢谢世界上所有的母亲。祝您母亲节快乐。

My mother is a beautiful woman.

And she is very nice. She is very tall.And she has brown hair. Shes a worker. She is very hard. My mother like fruits. She bought lots of delicious food and stationery.

She was very concerned about my study. I love my mother! How about you?

It was Mother’s Day. Sun Zheng thought he should do something for his

mother. He decided to help his mother do some housework. After school he went to

a shop to buy some food on his way home.

When he got home, he did his best to cook some nice food,though he couldn’t

do the cooking well. Thenhe cleaned the room. He felt very tired, but he was

very happy.

When his father and his mother came back and saw the clean rooms and dishes

which weren’t so nice, they were very happy.They had their supper together. His

mother said, "Thank you,my child!"

一、假如你叫李华，5月11日母亲节那天 你为母亲做了很多有意义的事情。请你根据表格中所给信息，用英语写一篇日记。

上午 你用零花钱给母亲买了些鲜花，放在花瓶内

下午 你去市场买菜，为全家人做了一顿简单可口的饭菜

完饭后 你送给母亲自己制作的贺卡，并祝她节日快乐；告诉母亲要多注意自己的健康，不要过度劳累；你还保证今后会帮助她做一些家务劳动；母亲感动得留下了眼泪

注意：

1. 词数80—100 个左右

2. 日记的开头和结尾已为你写好，不计入总词数。

3. 日记必须包括所有内容要点，但不要逐句翻译，可以假如适当细节和适当发挥，使其通顺、连贯。

参考词汇：pocket money 零花钱vase 花瓶overwork 过度劳累be moved to tears 感动得流泪

11th May Sunday

Today is Mother’s Day. I love mother so much that I’ve done many things for her.

In the morning, I bought …

….

Today is a special day, warm and meaningful.

I came back to school after the summer vacation. As soon as I settled down, I made a phone call to my mother. When I talked to her, I could not hold back my tears. “After all,” I said, “You’re my mother.”

During the vacation, mother and I had a quarrel. After that we were unwilling to talk with each other. She thought I was her sweet daughter and I believed that she did not respect me. Then after few days, I left home. My mother gave me a full package of home-make food and she said to me, “I cook this morning, take this then you can have it on the train.” However, I refuse to take it. I just turned away and slam the door without saying goodbye to my mother. I was still angry about her. “You’re still my good girl.” My mother said in a low voice chocked with sob.

On the train I could not eat anything, I felt terrible. How I wish I had said sorry to my mother before I left. Now all I want to say is, will you forgive me, my dear mother?

暑假结束后，我回到了学校。我一稳定下来，我就立刻打电话给我的母亲。当我和她说话时，眼睛止不住流了下来。我对她说，“毕竟，你是我的母亲。”

在假期的时候，我和妈妈吵了一架。从那以后我们都不愿意和对方说话了。她认为我不再是那个甜美可爱的女孩了。几天后，我就离开了家。走之前，妈妈给了我一大包自己做的食品，她对我说：“我今早煮的，你拿着在火车上吃吧。”然后，我拒绝了妈妈的一片好心。然后我转过身狠狠的摔上门走了。也没有对她说再见。我还在生她的气。“你依旧是我的好女儿。”她用低沉的声音抽泣着说。

在火车上我吃不下任何东西，我感觉很内疚。我真希望在离家之前对我妈妈说声抱歉啊。现在我只想说：我最亲爱的母亲，你愿意原谅我么？

[我的母亲英语作文以及翻译

My Mother is a kind of gentle woman. She is always very gentle. She takes

good care of her children and keeps them all at school. I have one brother and

two sistets. So she gets four children in all. She gives us every comfort. We

all love her and she loves us also.

My mother has too much to do in bringing us up. As our family is too poor

to keep a servant, my mother has always to do very much work. She gets up very

early and sleeps very late every day. She works hard, yet without

complaining.

She is also a thrifty, and industrious woman. She saves every cent that she

can and keeps everything in order. As she has been busy eversince she was young,

she looks older than she really is. Her face is wrinkled, her hair becomes

silver white, but she works as hard as ever.

Often she says to us, "work while you work, play while you play. If you do

not work, you will become lazy and of no use to society." What piece of good

advice this is! We must worth it well and always keep it in our mind.

my mother is a woman of the old school。 she is too conservative to keep up with the times。 however， she is good-natured and treats others incerely。 for this reason， all her neighbors are only too glad (pleased) to make friends with her。 they consider her a model woman。

she is a typical housewife。 she keeps the (her) house neat and clean and looks after us with extreme care 。 she often says to us， “you cannot study too ard。”

"我母亲"英语作文译文:

我母亲是中国老式女子。她太保守无法跟上时代。然而，她性情善良，待人诚恳。基于此种理由，所有她的邻居都十分高兴和她结交朋友。他们认为她是模范女子。

她是一位标准的家庭主妇。她把家保持整洁。她小心翼翼地照顾我们。她时常对我们说：“你们越用功越好”。

Grateful mother, it is hard, she endured the October be pregnant is looking forward to I will be in the room. As my first sound loud cry, the mother began to day after day, year after year endless sacrifice, for I worry, complaint or regret, care and parenting, I carefully. Let me live in happy happy environment, let me free to healthy growth.

Grateful mother, is she taught me to learn to be, is she taught me how to communicate with partners communicate with each other, is she taught me to help and love from person to person. Is the most profound in my memory on one occasion, my mother and I go home together, home cousin are playing a game model of the toys, I also very want to play a gun up, but my cousin take back, I was punched in the past, my cousin also dont get back to me, so we played together. When my mother saw hurriedly pulled me aside to. Because I am the only child in the home at ordinary times, everybody affectionately to me, this let me formed the character of swashbuckling would not agree. Wanted to mom this time will call my cousin to give me play the toy, but mother didnt do that, but pulled me aside to me to apologize to my cousin. At first I hated cousin very much in the heart, which will easily agree? Mother looked at will comfort me and patiently enlighten me, give me about the story of "jung let pear". After listening to the story, I also recognize the fault, and apologize to my cousin to apologize. Since then my Cousins and I are very friendly to get along, never quarrel with each other. Mothers teachings in my young mind leave deep memory, in my own life to learn to be nice, tolerance, apologize to each other.

Grateful mother, is she gave me the most unselfish love, she is always worried about my food, clothing, shelter, line. Thank for a mother for giving me the concern of dribs and drabs. The ancients cloud: "dripping of grace, when animals are reported". Ancient huang-xiang temperature had seats, carp lying ice... The story of 24 filial piety. This is Chinas mule Meng Peijie touched story. But now there is something in my gratitude for the mother of way, also dont finish. From now, I want to help my mother share housework more at ordinary times, reduce the mothers work, study hard work more at ordinary times, in order to reduce the worry about mother. Give mother some greetings, as she poured tea water, wipe the sweat back rubs.

All in all, to thank for a mother for too much too much, I remember meng jiao has become a "the wanderer", "the loving mother hand line, wandering onto clothing. Departure thick seam, meaning fear of delay. Who made the heart-inch grass, at a three chunhui." Now I also send the poem to my mother, to express my gratitude to my mother.

感恩母亲，是她忍着十月怀胎的艰苦，期待着我将临人间。随着我的第一声洪亮的啼哭，母亲就开始日复一日，年复一年无休止地为我操心、操劳，无怨无悔，细心地呵护着、养育着我。让我生活在欢乐幸福的环境中，让我无忧无虑地健康成长。

感恩母亲，是她教会我学会做人，是她教会我如何去与伙伴们相互沟通交流，是她教会我人与人之间要互助互爱。在我记忆最深刻的是有一次，我和妈妈一起回老家，老家的表哥正在玩一个游戏模型玩具，我见了也很想玩就一把抢了过来，可表哥又抢了回去，我便一拳打过去，表哥也不让回打了我，于是我们便打了起来。这时妈妈见了急忙把我拉到一边去。平时因我是家中独生子，大家都对我疼爱有加，这让我养成了霸气十足不肯服输的个性。本想妈妈这回会叫表哥把玩具让给我玩，可是妈妈却没那样做，而是把我拉到一边要我向表哥道歉。起初我心中非常恨表哥，哪肯轻易服输呢?妈妈见状就不断安慰我并耐心地启迪我，给我讲起了“孔融让梨”的故事。听了这个故事后我也认识到了自已的错，便向表哥道歉认错。从那以后我跟表哥之间都非常友好地相处，再也没吵架过。母亲的教诲在我幼小的心灵留下深刻的记忆，使我在自己的生活中学会友善待人、互相宽容、互相歉让。

感恩母亲，是她把最无私的爱给了我，是她时时刻刻牵挂着我的衣、食、住、行。感谢母亲给予我的点点滴滴的关心。古人云：“滴水之恩，当涌泉相报”。古有黄香温席、卧冰求鲤……二十四孝的故事。今有感动中国孝女孟佩杰的故事。可如今的我对母亲的感恩有千言万语也道不尽，诉不完。从今起，我平时要多帮妈妈分担家务，减少母亲的操劳，平时多努力学习功课，以减少母亲的操心。多给母亲一些问候，为她倒茶端水，擦汗捶背。

总之，要感谢母亲的事太多太多了，我记起孟郊曾作过一首《游子吟》，“慈母手中线，游子身上衣。临行密密缝，意恐迟迟归。谁言寸草心，报得三春晖。”如今我也把这首诗送给我的母亲，以表达我对母亲的感恩之情。

I consider my parents as the most important people in my life. This is not because theyre wealthy or famous. Rather, what I value about most is the care and love they show to me.

My parents might work hard, but theyre always there for me. Whenever I get into trouble and desperately need a hand, they come over first to support me and encourage me. I grew up with their constant care and love. While theyre getting older with grey hair and wrinkles, they never lose dignity in both life and jobs.

From my parents, I have learned that one person can really make a difference. Ill never forget their care and love. Gratefulness brings a great fullness to life. I wish they could always be happy and healthy. It is high time we expressed our gratitude to people we cherish!

Once upon a time there was a child ready to be born. So one day he asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"

从前，有个孩子马上就要降生了。于是有一天他问上帝：“听说明天您就送我去人间了，但是，我这么弱小和无助，我在那儿怎么生活呢?”

God replied, "Among the many angels, I chose one for you. She will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

上帝答道：“在众多的天使中，我特别为你挑了一位。她会在那里守候你，无微不至地照顾你。”

But the child wasnt sure he really wanted to go. "But tell me, here in Heaven, I dont do anything else but sing and smile, thats enough for me to be happy."

小孩还是不确定自己是否真的想去：“但是在天堂，我除了唱唱笑笑外，什么也不做，这就足以让我感到幸福了。”

"Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you every day. And you will feel your angels love and be happy."

“你的天使每天会为你唱歌，每天对你微笑。你会感受到她的爱，并且因此而幸福。”

"And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me," the child continued, "If I dont know the language that men talk?"

“如果我不懂人类的语言，他们跟我说话时，我怎么听得懂呢?”孩子继续问道。

God patted him on the head and said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."

上帝轻轻地拍了一下孩子的头说：“你的天使会对你说最最美丽、最最动听的话语，而这些都是你从未听过的。她会不厌其烦地教你说话。”

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"

“如果我想与你说话怎么办?”

But God had an answer for that question too. "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."

上帝胸有成竹地回答：“你的天使会将你的双手合拢，教你如何祈祷。”

"Ive heard that on earth there are bad men, who will protect me?"

“听说下界有很多坏人，谁来保护我呢?”

"Your angel will defend you even if it means risking her life!"

“即使冒着生命危险，你的天使也会保护你的。”

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore," the child continued warily.

“但是见不到你，我会难过的。”小孩小心翼翼说道。

God smiled on the young one. "Your angel will always talk to you about me and will teach you the way for you to come back to me, even though I will always be next to you."

听到这儿，上帝微笑着看着孩子。“尽管我会一直陪伴你左右，你的天使仍会向你提起我，教你重返天堂之路。”

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from earth could already be heard. The child knew he had to start on his journey very soon. He asked God one more question, softly, "Oh God, if I am about to leave now, please tell me my angels name."

此时，天堂一片宁静，凡间的声音已可听到，小孩明白自己得赶紧上路了。他又轻声问了最后一个问题：“哦，上帝，假如我现在就出发，请你告诉我，我的天使叫什么名字?”

God touched the child on the shoulder and answered, "Your angels name is not hard to remember. You will simply call her Mommy."

上帝把手放在小孩的肩上，答道：“你的天使的名字很容易记住，你就叫她--妈妈。”

Mother, it is we are thankful people was born. Who is how many years, every day in the laundry to cook for us, who are both in sorching summer, or in the snow after send us to school, and hurried off to work, who is lets us grow from day to day in her arms, and she is getting old, who has raised us, but I do not wish for any return. Is mother! Life, some people are looking for a mothers love, but dont ignore the ubiquity of maternal love!

Remember the night I was only five years old, it was raining, I have a fever, my father on a business trip is not at home, mother picked up I will go to the hospital, my mother in the hospital a night didnt sleep a wink, eyes staring at the bottle of intravenous drip, until my fever is gone, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. Then my mother again give me water, and to buy me a delicious. Looked at his mother busy figure, I secretly in my heart swear: must study hard repay mother.

Another time, just learning English month, I had to 81 points, the bottom of the class. In the face of such scores, I would be ready to get training, returned home after mother knew, not only not scold me, comfort me, dont lose heart, and now the English course at the beginning, as long as you listen more from now on, read more, write more, practice more. Performance will improve soon. Mother said. This time is I overlooked your English study, later I accompany you a piece of learning. This situation really than scold me, hit me also makes me uncomfortable. From then on, no matter how busy mom, always "nutrition" for me, everything comes to him who waits, the mid-term exam, I achieved good scores of 95 points.

Mother, you have to use solid arms hold up a piece of blue sky for me, when I am frustrated fall, is the care you with infinite comfort me, encouraged me, so I can stand up again. Today, I will use my growing plump wings for you -- -- my mother from the rain.

母亲，是我们一出生都值得感恩的人。多少个岁月，是谁每天起早贪黑的为我们洗衣做饭，是谁无论在炎炎夏日，还是在冰天雪地送我们上学之后，又匆匆赶去上班，是谁让我们在她的臂弯一天天成长，而她却一天天变老，是谁养育了我们，却不求任何的回报。是母亲!生活中，有些人在寻找着母爱，却不忽略了无处不在的母爱!

记得5岁那年的一天晚上，天下着雨，我发烧了，父亲出差不在家，母亲抱起我就去医院，在医院里妈妈一宿没合眼，两眼一直盯着瓶子里的点滴，直到我的发烧退了，妈妈才长舒了一口气。接着妈妈又是给我喂水，又是给我买好吃的。看着妈妈忙碌的身影，我暗暗在心里发誓：一定要努力学习报答妈妈。

还有一次，刚学英语月考时，我只得了81分，全班倒数几名。面对这样的分数，我做好了挨训的准备，回到家妈妈知道后，不但没有训我，反而安慰我，不要灰心，现在英语这门课刚开始，只要你从现在开始多听，多读，多写，多练习。成绩会提高很快。妈妈还说。这段时间是我忽略了你的英语学习，以后我陪你一块学。这情景真比骂我，打我还令我难受。从那以后，妈妈不管多忙，总是为我“补充营养”，功夫不负有心人，期中考试时，我取得了95分的好成绩。

母亲，您曾用坚实的臂弯为我撑起一片蓝天，当我受到挫折跌倒时，是您用无限的关怀安慰我，鼓励我，使我能重新站起来。而今，我也要用我日益丰满的羽翼为您————我的妈妈遮风挡雨。

My motheris an ordinary teacher. She always puts her students before everything. She isnothing different from other people at the first sight. But later you will findthat she is so responsible. In my mind, she is very great. On weekends, shealways prepare the class at home. Sometimes she even ask the students to cometo our house for remediation for free. All her students like her. Sometimes I almostenvy her students. Luckily, my mother also very care about me. she puts all hertime on our family and her students, leaving nothing for herself. She is sogreat, and I proud of her; and I love her.

我的妈妈是一个普通的老师。她总是把她的学生放在最重要的位置。乍一看，她和别的人没有什么不一样的。 但后来你会发现她是如此有责任心。在我的心目中，她是很伟大的。周末的时候她总是在家里备课。有时候她甚至叫学生到我们家来免费补课。她的学生都很喜欢她。有时候我都差点要嫉妒她的学生了。幸好我慢慢还是很关心我的。她把她所有的时间都花在我们家和她的学生身上，却不给自己留一丁点时间。她是如此的伟大，我为她感到骄傲；我爱她。

[我的母亲_英语作文

My dearest Mother，

The mothers day is coming and I would like to say “Happy mothers day” in this letter. I love you and thank you so much for everything you did for me. This day，I will stay away and cant give you my appreciation at home. I know I will watch myself，so dont worry about me. I am doing very well on my study. My schoolmates and teachers are all very nice. Though I cant be at home， I hope you have a wonderful mothers day.

Love，

Your son

[英语作文 写给母亲的感谢信

1. 你母亲是个农村妇女，50多岁，没上过学，但懂得年轻人掌握知识的重要性，她很关心你的学习情况；

2. 你的母亲为了让你有的时间学习，总是竭尽全力来照顾你。一次，当你听说母亲病重，回家看她时，她正带病坚持为你做新衣，你激动得热泪盈眶；

3. 你母亲就是这样一位妇女，善良、勤劳，永远值得你尊敬和爱戴。

my mother is a village woman， who is already in her fifties. she had very little school education， but she knows that knowledge is of great importance to young people. she often asks me how i get along with my studies and encourages me to study hard.

my mother takes good care of me and does everything she can for me， so that i can spend more time on my study.

once she was badly ill and had stayed in bed for several days. when i got home to see her at night， i found the light was still on and mother was sitting in bed， making new clothes for me ！ i was so deeply moved that tears came to my eyes.

such is my mother， a kind and hard-working woman. i’ll respect and love her forever.

[我的母亲英语单元作文

Orginate in America in the Mothers Festival. May 9,1906, American consuming

city Jia-Wei the mother misfortune of silk dies , her grief extremely. Avoid

Japan in annual mother death anniversary, Miss An Na organizes catch up the

campaign of Sai mother, encourage other person to also express the gratitude for

own loving mother with similar way.

Hereafter, she convinces people everywhere and establishes the Mothers

Festival to the appeal of all sectors of society and call. Her appeal gets warm

response.

Through draft resolution, on May 10,1913, American Senate and House of

Representatives signs by president Wilson second that announces and decides each

years May for Sunday, is the Mothers Festival.

This measure arouses world countries, is imitated one after another,

install to 1948 Na pass away , 43 countries have established the Mothers

Festival.

My mother was once a beautiful woman, but all her teeth are gone now. Toothless. No woman can be considered beautiful. Whenever I visit her in the nursing home, she is sitting at the table in the common dining room, her head in her hands, rocking. Medication has eased her anxiety, but nothing moves her from her stupor except occasional moments of fear, too deep for medication. This is a room that has no windows, that lets in no light, in which an overlarge TV is constantly blaring, sending images that no one looks at where the floors are beige tiles, the walls cream colored at the bottom, papered halfway up with a pattern of nearly invisible grayish leaves. Many of the residents sit staring, slack-jawed, open mouthed. I find it impossible to imagine what they might be looking at.

When I walk into the dining room on the day of my mothers birthday, I see that she has already been served lunch. The staff has forgotten to hold it back. Though I told them a week ago that I would be providing lunch. She hasn’t touched anything on her tray except a piece of carrot cake, which she holds in her hands. The icing is smeared on her hands and face. I dont want my friends to see her smeared with icing, so I wet a paper towel and wipe her. This fills me with a terrible tenderness, recalling, as it does. a gesture I have performed for my children. As I wipe my mothers face, I see that her skin is still beautiful I hold her chin in my hand and kiss her forehead. I tell her its her birthday, that shes ninety years old. "How did that happen?" she asks. "I cant understand how that could happen."

l have brought her a bouquet of crimson, yellow, and salmon-pink snapdragons. She likes the flowers very much. She likes the name. "Snapdragons. It seems like an animal thats going to bite inc. But its not an animal, its a plant. Thats a funny thing,"

I have bought food that I hope will please my mother, and that will be easy for her to eat: orzo salad with little pieces of crayfish cut into it, potato salad, small chunks of marinated tomatoes. I have bought paper plates with a rust-colored background, upon which are painted yellow and gold flowers and blue leaves.

My friends Nola and Gary come for my mothers birthday. When we are about to leave, I tell my mother that Im going on vacation, mat I wont see her for three weeks, that 1 am going to the sea. "How will I stand that, how will I stand thats she says, but I know that a minute after I’m gone shell forget I was there.