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Cradled with Care
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I’ve watched you
cradle your daughter with care
Reading her bedtime stories
and tenderly brushing her hair
Holding her gingerly
when she needed you
And letting her go
when it was wise to
Cheering her at games
and listening to her practice
the same song
over and over again
I saw you quiver
as she climbed on the bus
leaving home for the first time
It once again just “us”
I saw you walking
into her room
You picked up her scarf
and inhaled her perfume
She’ll be here at Christmas
and Easter – no doubt
But it does seem like forever
since our daughter moved out.
Wendy/2012
Silly me made myself cry again. Writing poems sometimes takes you places you were not expecting. I was writing about a friend and her daughter and by the time I got to the middle of this poem – I could see how this might be our own story, one day. So my daughter looked over from the family computer to ask if I was crying. ” Yes,” I said. She did not ask why, and I decided not to say why. I want to be able to let go when it’s wise.
Blessings ~ Wendy
When my oldest son moved out, I felt so lost! I can relate to this one! *smiling* x
It’s gonna be tough… but each season comes with the strength as we need it.
Blessings ~ Wendy
it´s wonderful how mother nature cradles her leaves one more time. beautiful photograph and beautiful poem!
Thank you! I knew there was a poem to write, when I saw that cradled leaf.
Blessings ~ Wendy
shared. I remember watching my son drive away pulling the uhaul behind him. And I would go into ‘his’ room to reconnect even when it was empty. But that was my goal, to see him go out into this world and make it on his own in God’s strength. He has. And God has been faithful.
I love hearing happy endings! Thank you.
Blessings ~ Wendy
Beautiful poem! I can really feel your emotions in it. And love the picture! 🙂
It’s good that tears can’t smudge the words on the computer screen…
Blessings ~ Wendy 😉
I’m soon there – and my babies are only a year apart, so when it comes, it will come with a torrent… *sniff*
My three are two years apart. We both better start saving up coupons for Kleenex… 😉
Blessings ~ Wendy
Oh, oh – I’ll start clipping…. 🙂
I love this so much and your momma’s heart. I know He will help you! Thank you, Wendy, for touching us again! God bless!
My friend has been such a good example to me without even trying to be. I just watched her…
Blessings ~ Wendy
Oh goodness, Wendy–I felt the sting of tears as I read this. So beautiful, piercing, moving–wow, you are blessed indeed.
I’m hopeless. I almost cried when a robin’s nest emptied out this summer. It had been fun watching that little family…
Thank you, Caddo!
Blessings ~ Wendy
I cried for a whole week when my son went to college. This poem brings back that memory…
Hugs! My turn will come soon enough. My friend, who has been there, keeps telling me to cherish each moment, because it goes by so fast. I believe her.
Blessings ~ Wendy