With her pen as her voice and her experiences as inspiration, Tina Adams-Carter (pictured above with her mother), a caregiver at Waterford Terrace Retirement Community in La Mesa poured her memories of her 98-year-old mother (Lila Mae Keedy) onto paper and recently won a national poetry competition sponsored by Sunshine Retirement Living, which operates her community.

Titled, “Words from Mom – The Looking Glass,” her poem explores how aging is more than what our bodies become. Rather, it’s the true reflection we see when we look into the “looking glass.” “Through the Looking Glass” was the poetry contest’s theme this year.

Adams-Carter’s poem joins others submitted by seniors and their caregivers from retirement communities around the country.

Words from Mom – The Looking Glass

By Tina Adams-Carter

My mom looked at me as I looked at her.

She lovingly said, “Life is a blur.”

She said she feels young but knows she is old.

When she looks in the mirror, the truth will be told.

She continued to say as I listened real close.

We wilt as we age like a beautiful rose.

A mirror shows wrinkles and all of our lines.

Created by stress as our body declines.

“Now remember” she continued, as I hung on each word. A mirror won’t show all that’s occurred.

You have choices in life, to see deeper within

The person you become as aging begins.

It’s the way you treat others, and the kindness you give. The smile you share and the way you forgive.

Live your life authentically and show that you care.

The person in the mirror will be very aware.

Aware that their actions and words were portrayed,

With lovingly gestures and compassion displayed

Also remember, there is time to make change.

Youth is wasted on young; we are more aware as we age. My mom is wise, as I hang on her words.

I have become more aware as my own aging occurs.