Tag: adult children

A Little Math

On By Piano girl8 Comments

When I taught elementary school, one question from students always made for interesting conversations.

How old are you, Mrs. Morris?

I would walk to the whiteboard and write a math problem. The current year minus my birth year. Once they solved the problem, they had their answer.

I’m no longer teaching, but it feels like a new math problem is in order this year. 

Our oldest son, Robert, was born on my twenty-seventh birthday. As of today, we’ve shared thirty birthdays.

Simple addition, perhaps. But an answer accompanied by exponential joy.

Happy Birthday to us!

Simply Sunday on a Monday

On By Piano girl2 Comments

Seven to one
A perfect ratio
For an early morning
Trip to the zoo
Seven adults
And one little girl
Each one ready to explore
Her Aunt and Uncles
Mom and Dad
Gigi and Papa, too
I can’t think
Of a more perfect way
To spend the day, can you?

My heart is full after a weekend with all the kids and grandbaby. Lots of laughter and playing and eating. And our first trip to the zoo with Miss Emi. Now it’s time for a nap! 😉❤️

TO BE NEEDED

On By Piano girl6 Comments

My recent desire for a pet may be related to our recently empty nest. What is it about that need to care for someone or something? As a young mom, someone always needs you. And though some moments felt overwhelming, part of me misses those days. Yes, they will always need me at some level. And I will always be their mom. The difference now is I realize how very much I need them. ❤️

MEET MALIBU

You were scared
No purring
No quiet meows
Only hiding
Not in an
Unfriendly way
You were scared-
I think she needs me
Even though
The thought of
Taking you home
Made me nervous
Pets bring responsibility
But here we are
And I think maybe
I need you, too

Nap time…
I think she’s decided we’re ok. 💜

Strength in Tears

On By Piano girl4 Comments

You are stronger
Than you know
Holding it together
When you feel
Like falling apart
Not that tears
Are a sign
Of weakness
Not at all
But sometimes
True strength
Is shown in
A moment of
Thankfulness
Realizing the storm
Has calmed and
Tears of relief
Can freely flow

Sometimes, we don’t realize our strength until the need for it lessens. Our family has experienced that truth this week with our sweet Emi. It was hard to see her so sick. Especially hard for her precious parents.

We are relieved that she is home from the hospital. We are thankful she is eating, crawling, laughing, and playing. ❤️

I Remember…

On By Piano girlLeave a comment 
Watching you hold her
I remember 
Holding you
No thought of
How I would feel
From this vantage
No thought of
The excitement born
From watching you 
Know the joy and laughter 
The lessons and messes -
Watching you hold her
Worried because she is sick
I remember 
Holding you the same
Praying away the struggles 
All the while knowing
They are part of our world
But only a part
One superseded by the joy
Found in the memory
Of holding you
While watching you hold her

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl5 Comments

Quiet, Not Empty

The house is quiet
I’ve felt versions
Of this quiet before-
A missing laughter
From the next room
Absent sounds of one
Coming and going
Or the rattling of a
Bucket of Legos-
Yes, it is quiet
But it is not empty
The space holds
Memories from
All that occurred
Along this path
Of parenthood
Love and laughter
Heartache and tears
So much hope and joy
Perhaps more than
These walls are
Able to bear
But that’s ok
My heart is more than willing
To share in the holding

Twenty-Nine

On By Piano girl5 Comments

Take a breath
It isn’t complicated
At least, it shouldn’t be
Most of the time
It happens with
Little thought
Until a thought
Becomes thoughts
And thoughts turn
Into questions
And suddenly
I’m seeking answers
For how to react
To the latest change
Then change
Turns into changes
And soon, there are
More than I can count-
Well, maybe
I’m exaggerating
Just a smidge
Concerning the number
Of changes, just not
The significance-

A house with no kids
For the first time
In twenty-nine years

How does one prepare?

Yes, I know-
Thank you
It isn’t complicated
Take a breath

Once again, I am grateful for the poetry circle. Listening, writing, sharing, connecting. ❤️

A Slight Nudge

On By Piano girl7 Comments

I see her
Resting quietly
In the middle
Of her nest
Contemplating
As pieces
Of her heart
Sit on the edge
Flirting with that space
Between the known
And the unknown
Ready to fly
But waiting
For one more note
Of encouragement-
Even the slightest nudge
Thought part of the job
Feels like a shove-
At least, to her, it does…

Take a breath, Mama Bird-
They will be ok
And so will you

Nature’s Mirrors

On By Piano girl4 Comments

When the Spring tree
Notices its green leaves
Shimmering as it peers
Into the clear blue lake

When the setting sun
Shares its warm glow
Lighting the leafless tree
With its dusky orange

When I see past
The marks of time
And see a bit of you
In my changing reflection

When I see myself
In your sweet smile
And wonder…
Do you see it, too?

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl7 Comments

Good for the Soul

Evenly spaced rows
Of gently waving wheat
Wonderfully wound
Bales of hay
Equally sided cubes
Childhood toys
Labeled with letters,
Numbers and pictures
Ready to be
Neatly stacked
Then knocked over
Only to be
Stacked again-
Little hands reaching
Sleepyhead resting
On my shoulder
Comforting weight
Beneath the rise and fall
Of sweet slumber-
Calm exists within
The routine
On any given day-
Whether passing by
Or sitting in the center