My Stepmother’s Song

My beloved stepmom, I’ll remember you everyday

And on this Mother’s Day

I honor your memory

From struggling beginnings to a deep bond

I treasure the time

As I grieve your loss

Your ability to strive hard and reach far

Met and embraced my locked-down-deep heart

Opened my squeezed-tight eyes

To a life of family, faith, hope, and compromise

You came into my life so late

You left it so very early

The days between but a wisp of wind

Caressing, blessing, gone.

Yet, the wind whispered a song I’ll always sing

It’s never gone.

You sang into my life the very love of a mother

As though I’d been no other

Child but yours.

~ Stiles Expressions

Stepmother Dawn Hochsprung, 47, was shot and killed when she lunged at Adam Lanza in an attempt to disarm the shooter who killed 20 children and six staff member at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. John Masciola, a friend, remembers Hochsprung as “just the sweetest person.”  Dawn is the mother of two daughters and three stepdaughters.  Rest in Peace.