Once there were two women
Who never knew each other.
One you do not remember:
The other you call, "Mother."
Two different lives
Shaped to make yours one,
One became your guiding star;
The other became your sun.
The first gave you life
And the second taught you to live in it.
The first gave you a need for love,
And the second was there to give it.
One gave you a nationality;
The other gave you a name,
One gave you the seed of talent;
The other gave you an aim.
One gave you emotions;
The other calmed your fears.
One saw your first sweet smile;
The other dried your tears.
One gave you up,
(It was all the she could do,)
The other prayed for a child--
and God led her straight to you.
And now you ask me through your tears,
The age-old question of the years--
Heredity or environment--which are you the product of?
Neither, my darling. Neither.
Just two different kinds of love.

—Anonymous