Saving Lily

Mama Don't leave me

Lily's pov:

My very first memory is of my mother, Catherine. She was a kind and gentle woman. I remember her pushing me on a swing, her laughter as I shrieked with excitement.

"Hold on tight my little flower." She'd say, as I went up higher and higher.

She had named me after her favorite flower, Lily.

Her voice was cheerful and delicate. When she laughed, her whole face lit up, like sunshine on a rainy day.

I remember her soft brown eyes. They were always filled with so much love and her hugs were so warm and comfortable. When she held me I felt like nothing in the world could hurt me. I was completely safe in her arms.

One of our favorite things to do every weekend was go on walks along beach. We would always pick up things along the way. Pebbles, rocks, sea shells, really anything we found that was interesting. "Treasures", she would call them.

"Let's see how many treasures we have found today." She would say, excitedly digging through our most recent finds with the biggest smile across her face.

She had a small garden in the backyard where we would keep our favorite ones, in the part she designated for the fairies.

She was a master gardener. I remember how she would lovingly care for the flowers she had planted, watering them while humming happily. She was always humming.

I found so much comfort in that little garden and hearing her hum. I loved the different shapes and vibrant colors I found in there, and she had started teaching me how to care for them too.

I remember the feeling of the dirt falling through my fingers as I helped her plant the flowers in the gound. It was soothing and peaceful.

Every night before bed she would wrap me in her arms, kiss my head and recite her favorite poem by William Blake.

"The modest Rose puts forth a thorn,
The humble sheep a threat'ning horn:
While the Lily white shall in love delight,
Nor a thorn nor a threat stain her beauty bright.

But one day in an instant all of that was gone...she was gone. Ripped away from me by a drunk driver.

The shattering of glass, the screeching of those tires and most of all the blood curdling scream of my mother will forever be burned into my memories.

"Lily." She whispered as we laid in the crumbled car that had been forced on its side.

I opened my eyes and blinked heavily, looking around.

"Lily.' She whispered again. I grabbed her hand.

"Mama." I said.

"Lily, I want you to listen to me very carefully, alright." She said, her voice weak.

"I don't think I'm going to make it."

"You will mama." I said, tears streaming down my face.

"Shh, my flower. I need you to know that no matter what happens, I will always be with you." She said breathlessly, taking off her pearl necklace and placing it around my neck.

"I love you, my beautiful Lily " She said, closing her eyes.

"Mama, wake up." I cried nudging her. But she wouldn't open her eyes.

I laid my head on her shoulder. "Mama don't leave me." I sobbed, wrapping my arms around her chest.

"Wake up mama."

She was gone before the paramedics even got there. I was five, still just a baby, and I had already lost everything.

I kicked and screamed as they reached into the mangled car to pull me out. I didn't want to let her go.

"No, no, mama!" I cried, not realizing what was happening.

"Please mama, don't let them take me away." I begged as they strapped me to a stretcher and slid it into the ambulance.

"It's ok little love." The paramedic said in a soothing voice.

"You're going to be alright." She said, rubbing my head as I cried.

"I want my mama."

"I know you do sweet girl. I know you do." She whispered.

I never knew my father, and without the knowledge of anyone else who could take me, the state made arrangements for me to go to a girl's home as soon as I was discharged from the hospital.