Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for creating a place to share our Slice of Life. Read more slices or add you own here.
April is National Poetry Month, and I am celebrating with many other bloggers by writing and sharing poetry. Please check out the hashtag #digipoetry on Twitter to find more poems written by writers in our blogging community. Please consider joining us. Write when you can, share when you write. It is that simple.
I have been a mother for 22 years and these years have been full of joy and pride. We have been blessed as parents because our children have caused us very few problems. We are extremely lucky and we give thanks every day.
I believe that my role as a mother will soon be stretched in ways I am not looking forward too. Becoming an adult is not an easy thing to do in our world today, especially when our plans and goals are not the same as our children's.
Standing at the Crossroads
while he is
while he is
standing at the crossroads
his mother
watching from behind
with a heavy heart
...worries
knowing that reality is
clashing with his dreams
different paths
different directions
hard choices
hard decisions
his mother
watching from behind
with a heavy heart
...prays
hard decisions
his mother
watching from behind
with a heavy heart
...prays
while he is
standing at the crossroads
Oh my! This is so touching! I will be praying for some peace for you. This is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI'll be thinking lots about you these weeks, Leigh Anne. One of my colleagues has a daughter leaving, graduating high school, & a son graduating college. Best wishes to you son leaping out into the world!
ReplyDeleteI have a twenty year old son and a daughter getting ready to graduate. Your concern sure resonates! The poem captures the ache of resisting interference, of knowing there's only so much you can do, of the natural order of letting go. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLeigh Ann I have a sophomore in college and a senior in high school. I'm standing right here with you and it is bitter sweet. Hang in there, mom.
ReplyDeleteIt is so hard! My oldest has graduated but still struggles with those choices. Reality and dreams-- figuring that out is tough stuff, but only they can do it. as Lori said, there's only so much you can do. That's the tough part for us. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteYes, a child's senior year of high school is definitely challenging for all involved! I've said that God makes it so difficult so you'll be glad when he/she leaves! Ha. It's so full of emotions - excitement, worries, sadness, reflection, relief, etc. "Watching from behind" is what we all do as parents, trying so hard not to interfere with dreams and plans. God has it all under control. The best we can do is release it to Him. He knows better than all of us!
ReplyDeleteI know the mother's heavy heart when his plan is not the same as mom's plan. Remind me to tell you the story of my son and his path at All Write. It will be all right, he has lived a lifetime under your guidance and that will win out, in the end.
ReplyDelete"...prays" ...That word says so much.
ReplyDeleteIt is the most important thing you will ever do for him.
We can cling to God's promises.
"As our children grow more and more independent, they spend less and less time with us. Although we cannot accompany them through all the ups and downs of life, God can. He can be where we cannot be. He can guide when we aren't able to guide. He can protect when we are not present. Without prayer, we may feel fear, insecurity, and doubt as our children move out from under our wings. With prayer, we can feel hope, security, and trust in our partnership with the very One who created our children." - Jill Savage, Professionalizing Motherhood
Beautiful poem - I just wished it wasn't reality. I hope decisions are made and it's the path that needs to be taken. Thinking good thoughts for your son.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, heart-felt poem. I have 2 twenty somethings children. Giving up control so that they can make their own way is scary. His path will be his path and it will be good. Congratulations on his graduation and for all of the loving guidance you have given him to this point.
ReplyDelete