Today I am thankful for my children, for the chance to be a mother, and for all those years they spent in my home. What a privilege it was to host these wonderful people through their childhood, and now the sending out is a privilege too, I know, though I don't always experience it that way, as I miss them every day. It's the best case scenario, in which healthy, smart, self-sufficient adults navigate the world, but I'm not used to my world yet without either of them physically in it on a daily basis.
This week one of them has a birthday, and we looked at his baby album together over video chat, the way we always did on his birthday when he lived at home. The other one sent a long email, and I read the love in her words.
I don't like my children being so far from me, but I'm thankful for them, and for all the ways we have to communicate.
Voices from afar
Grownups who were my children
Back and forth flies love
This week's roundup is here, hosted by Carol Varsalona, and one of my early Gratiku from this month is in her Bedecked in Autumn Gallery. Next week, I am scheduled to host the roundup. So far our internet has worked OK, so I'm still planning to do it. Lots of people are writing odes to autumn, and it will be the day after Thanksgiving. I always write odes with my eighth graders at Thanksgiving time (here's mine from last year). Please send in your poetry next Friday, odes or not, thankful or not! I am looking forward to a feast!
Birdtober? Gratiku? What's up with me and these made-up words and daily posting? Well, I've learned that a tiny little burst of creativity each day helps keep me going, stops me from being entirely fixated on the mess. That's why I post daily photos on Facebook. And that's why I'm doing these writing projects. This one is a daily haiku about something I'm thankful for. (A gratitude haiku - get it?) As long as the internet keeps working, I'm going to try to post one every day in November.
10 comments:
Your Gratiku for your kids is spot on, Ruth. I'm right there with you, mama!
"I don't like my children being so far from me, but I'm thankful for them, and for all the ways we have to communicate." - yes!
Hi, Ruth. I love the idea of hosting these human beings through their childhood. My grown two are back at home (pandemic reality) and we're grateful to have this time with them. Happy birthday to your son!
Ruth, your poem encapsulates so much about our relationships with our grown up offspring. You have achieved much in your three brief lines of haiku magic.
What a lovely sentiment. My youngest left home this year, and I felt the loss, and the ending of an era, but am gladdened at the thought of all my babies out in the world doing their thing - and, lucky for me, most of them live close enough to see regularly.
Oh, my. You just described me so very perfectly. It is such a joy and privilege to send these beautiful young people out into the world. But, selfishly, I would love them all back (without the bickering of course) to just be mine for a little while. I'm hoping for that feeling for Thanksgiving. Love to you, Ruth. You always make me feel seen in your writing. Thank you.
Yes, I am happy for my grown children, but remember how I missed them when they first left. Your poem shows that love still can be no matter how far, Ruth. A lesson for us all!
Lovely gratiku, Ruth. Enjoyed hearing about your children.
Ruth, your tribute to your children is a tender gratiku. Being closer to my daughter and her family has been a special time in y life these days even when life is upside down. I am so glad that you shared your gratiku poems this month. Happy Thanksgiving to you.
"Back and forth flies love" such a beautiful and layered line for love of children. Glad you are staying in touch via video chat and more. Looking forward to your post next week and all the Autumn Odes, I remember and enjoyed again your "Ode to Poetry,"
thanks!
This one REALLY resonates with me, Ruth. Much love to you. Faraway children--hard to get used to that...
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