Tag: grief
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Love Within Your Own Heart
May you fall into your own arms.May you speak the words you need to hear.May you have gratitude with each breath.May you build your dreams with faith. May you embrace your soul with kindness.May you bring wisdom from your past.May you choose peace instead of anger. May you see the light in your darkest night.…
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Making Room in January, Part 2
I’ve MADE ROOM in the second half of the month for: 1. writing poetry and exploring new structures without self judgment.2. taking a photo walk. 3. a weekly donation bag.4. bringing the poetic structure to my writing group and enjoying where each woman took the prompt and how they expressed themselves.5. pleasure. 6. a night…
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Two Year Anniversary
I woke this morning,At a hotel in Connecticut again,Having slept so well,With my daughter in the bed beside me,Her injured leg propped on three pillows,Feeling grateful I could do this one thing,To ease her pain and bring her comfort.So why did I feel a pit in my stomach?This pressure in my chest?A feeling of dread?And…
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Grief
“Let your heart break so your spirit doesn’t.” Andrea Gibson Just how many times has my heart been broken?Surely as a child, when needs went unmet,Surely as a kindergartener when my first boyfriend, Coleman, moved away,Surely as a middle schooler when my friends turned on me,Surely at the hands of misogynistic and predatory men,Surely at…
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One Year
Dear Mom, I can’t believe it’s been a year since I’ve seen you, hugged you, heard your laugh. I miss the way you made small talk with everyone, not sure who was family and who was caregiver, but simply leading with kindness. I miss the way you laughed so easily at yourself and what others…
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I’ll Miss You
While at WonderSpaces in Philadelphia this past weekend, I came upon an interactive art installation. The project asked museumgoers to take a white rolled slip of paper from the wall. On the paper, we were to write words we wish we’d said to someone, whether a comeback, final words, or the perfectly worded expression. We…
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Indomitable Spirit
For the month of June, I am each day flipping through Clarity and Connection, by Yung Pueblo, and randomly stopping at a page to read. Using the entry as a prompt, I delve into my thoughts and feelings, find what resonates, and see what answers it might hold for me. It is an exercise in…
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Her Last Day
I can tell right away that things have changed, Something is different about her, Hazel eyes locked on the ceiling, She doesn’t even sense me, Shallow comes her breathing, Her arms reach straight up, Her lips-a smile, Unknown words, Eyes close, Sleep. An Etheree poem, starting at 10 syllables and working down to 1 Photo:…
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My Birth Day
My birthday was last week, and over dinner a friend asked, “How was your first birthday without your mother?” So unexpected was the question; tears immediately filled my eyes. It was in that moment that I realized the source of my melancholy throughout the day. Could I celebrate a birthday if the woman who gave…
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So Much Clapping
It had been a long, hot summer with little to no rain. I watered my gardens daily and got a break from mowing since the grass barely grew. It was the middle of August and this particular day was a scorcher. Out running errands, I decided to stop and see my mom at her assisted…
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The Stockings Were Hung…
Stockings Made with love Upon each grandchild’s arrival Regardless of the month. She would run to the fabric store And comb through the patterns To find just the right scene for the new baby. Felt cut with accuracy And layered just so Then stitched with steady hands And held in place by the tiny sequins…
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The Cardinal
“Look at the cardinal!” my mother would exclaim,As she had a hundred times before,And always with the same awe and delight,Washing dishes at the kitchen picture window.Her favorite bird, she wore it on sweaters, scarves and pins,A bright pop of color on a cold winter day,A sign of joy for her many blessings,And hope for…
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Waiting to Exhale
Holding my breath. That’s what it’s felt like these three long weeks since my mom passed. We’d waited to hold the memorial service to coincide with her family’s scheduled visit. It made perfect sense. It would give us plenty of time to prepare. It was a sound choice. Did I recognize I was holding my…
The Journey Inward 