I’ve been talking with some moms that have older kids that are grown and out of the home. These particular moms have shared their struggles with letting go and watching their children fall. I feel their broken hearts. I listen to the angst in their words and see the pain in their eyes. Hope is hiding amidst this turn. I pray for their children. I know that no matter how I raise my children- no matter what I try to instill in them for their life journey…..they too, may fall. The world is a big world. The cliffs are everywhere. We can’t put up barriers to all those craters in this earth they can slip and fall into. Any child can fall. I pray for those mothers that have not yet made it to the end of this poem. I pray they get there…and can say “sweet relief, new belief” in time…
Big or small, they change us all
Our precious, dear children.
Old or young, Daughter or Son
Our precious, dear children.
They stumble and fall, yet we stand tall
Our precious, dear children.
They win and grin, we take it in
Our precious, dear children.
They fight with might, we hold on tight
Our precious, dear children.
They run away, we make them stay
Our precious, dear children.
They take a turn and slowly learn,
Our precious, dear children.
They beg and plead, as they need,
Our precious, dear children.
They suffer change and re-arrange,
Our precious, dear children.
They fly so high then fall and cry,
Our precious, dear children.
They hurt and weep, the cliff was steep,
Our precious, dear children.
They give up hope and cannot cope,
Our precious, dear children.
They push us back and may attack,
Our precious, dear children.
They shed their tears and share their fears,
Our precious, dear children.
We hold them tight through the night,
Our precious, dear children.
They run right by, the years they fly
Our precious, dear children.
On their own, we fret and moan,
Our precious, dear children.
Will they call? Will they fall?
Our precious, dear children.
Setting free, it has to be,
Our precious, dear children.
Mother’s heart, torn apart,
Our precious, dear children.
Letting go, really slow,
Our precious, dear children.
Still alive, they will survive!
Our precious, dear children.
Sweet relief, new belief,
Our precious, dear children.
Chris,
As I was reading your new blog, I was pleasantly surprised I was not tearful and/or emotional at all. I truly had a feeling of relief that I didn’t have to venture through any critical emotional times as my children grew through the years. Don’t get me wrong, testing was a big part of growing up and we (Rick and I) had plenty of that as well as some mistakes we, as parents, make. Learning manners, right and wrong, consequences, and building up their self-confidence/esteem were the most important concepts we taught our children. I never truly felt frightened when they left for college and beyond …yes, I was a little concerned (cried when I left the first one at college…I’m human), but most importantly, I was relieved they felt excited and ready to conquer a new chapter in their lives. I knew they were so confident and eager to learn and absorb any and all new experiences life sent their way. They have not fallen down yet, only crossed a few cracks in the road and had a few broken hearts along the way, but I call that maturation. I try not to “mother” them….I let them fly and only land here at home when they want to experience our warmth and love (cooking too). They know we love them unconditionally…we are here to talk anytime. Our children have turned out to be well respected, well-versed, hard working members of society who are trying to make the world a better place. We did a damn good job (gray hair to prove it).
Thanks again Chris for your soulful insights! XOXO
Irene