PostPoems Be Artistic. Be Creative. Be Inspired!

Among her many talents Deborah loves to quilt.

Watching her piece one together the other day…I started thinking…

how it’s the same way a family is built.

Two people meet…they fall in love…and before they know 

their fabrics are sewn together and their quilt begins to grow.

Through the years they add children to their quilt…

and sewn within it’s seams…

are the different colors, hues and textures of their wishes, hopes and dreams.

The quilt grows even larger…for where would a family quilt be…

without aunts, uncles, nieces nephews and friends…the rest of their family. 

They notice right away when they add another patch…then more and more and more

as each new color and pattern blends with others…

their quilt is more beautiful than before.

And there is something they also notice…

every time their family quilt spreads out…

is that connecting all the pieces…

is a thread of love throughout.

What makes each family quilt unique…just like each family tree

is that it’s constantly reshaping…like the waves upon the sea.

Once the children leave..as children do…when they’re fully grown

They leave a patch with you…

and take a patch…to start a family of their own.

And at first there is a tinge of sadness…but as days and years elapse…

you find how easily and beautifully…your two quilts overlap.

Before you know it you have a multitude of quilts…

That within your heart you're keeping.

Perhaps that’s why as you grow older

you have no trouble sleeping.

We watched our neighbor, Ollie, play in his first official ’T’ ball game

from our seats atop the bleachers…in the shade.

It was a treat watching the innocent exuberance of children…

before they have a clue as to how the game is played.

With little heads swimming in big helmets they’d approach the ’T’

and when they finally hit the ball…

sometimes they’d run to first, sometimes to third…and sometimes…they forgot to run at all.

And when the ball was rolling towards them in the field

if they’d miss it…no one would get mad.

They know it’s hard to see the ball when you’re playing with your friend,

looking at the clouds, or waving to Mom and Dad.

Atop the bleachers through it all you could hear their friends and family cheering

whether the ball rolled by their children…or if it happened to be caught.

as they walked up to the ’T’…whether they hit the ball…or not.

Their children made a lot of mistakes….but their parents were not concerned….

for they know as their children keep playing…all the things they’re going to learn.

They will learn humility…for no matter how hard they work…on whatever path they choose….

sometime they’re going to win…and sometimes they’re going to lose.

They will learn perseverance, determination, tenacity…and grit….

and not to worry if they strike out…for there will be another chance to hit.

They will learn to endure the slumps in life and the havoc they may wreak…

because those slumps will help them enjoy a little more…when they’re on a winning streak. 

But those are lessons for another time…to be learned as their children grow…

today atop the bleachers…their parents just wanted them to know…

that whatever path they choose…wherever they may roam….

as they run around the bases of life…they will always be safe at home.

Today I’m grateful for my family…

and to them I offer up this toast….

What we have in life is nice

but it is who we have 

that matters most.

We watched our granddaughter Ava play her last official soccer game…

Her final season as a goalie is complete…

It’s one of those milestones in life we consider bittersweet.

Since we were 37 years old  

we’ve been watching our children and grandchildren play soccer…

and now we’re 72!

Which means, with Ava heading off to college next year…

after 35 years…our time on the soccer sidelines is through.

We watched them play in the Florida heat…some misty rains

and an occasional thunderstorm…

We watched them play in winter when it was impossible to get warm.

We wanted them to see us…to know anytime our paths crossed…

We would be there on the sidelines cheering…

when they won…and when they lost..

We wanted them to know…as along the sidelines we would stroll…

that being a part of their lives has always been our goal.

For 35 years on the sidelines…it’s been a privilege watching them grow…

and as this era comes to an end…there’s something else we’d like them to know:

As you switch from the game of soccer to the game of life…

as children and grandchildren are wont to do…

when you need us…look to the sidelines…

we‘ll be there cheering for you.

In my mind thoughts do constant swirl,

Leaves that rustle playfully twirl,

I vex the future looking meek,

But now through veil the light it peaks.

Women now, once a baby held,

My confidence in her excelled,

Today my heart is very proud,

She takes her place in world unbound.

In quiet moments of her doubt,

Uncertain shadows loom and clout,

A fire within her gently glows,

A strength unseen, yet fiercely shows.

Her spirit, like a mountain high,

Unyielding, steadfast 'neath the sky,

She faces storms with grace and might,

A beacon in the darkest night.

Whispers of doubt may taunt and tease,

Her heart beats on with courage, ease,

In her soul, a warrior stands,

With dreams held tightly in her hands.

So, rise, dear niece, and take your place,

For in your heart, there's endless space,

To conquer fears, to reach new heights,

You're such a star, shining bright.

Remember this, and always know,

Your strength is boundless, let it show,

In every step, in every stride,

You are so strong, with love your guide.

 When we see our world crumbling…our emotions are in a blender.

We’re a mixture of heartbroken…depressed…sad and mad…

but then…

we discover little bits of love in the rubble

and begin to piece our life together again.

Yesterday I found some bits of love that brought a smile to my face…

surrounded by friends and family…in a place where horses race. 

Once a year we get together…we take up a lot of space…

It’s a mini family reunion…in a place where horses race.

Many of our family members were there…

some who we don’t often see…

as were friends who over the years have become our family.

Most of us came from Florida…

the east coast, west coast…and beyond… 

One person came from England and one from Belgium…

making that long flight across the pond.

We hugged…we talked…we laughed…

sharing the kind of memories you can’t replace…

picking up those little bits of love…

in a place where horses race.

I met a man, wearing a shirt exactly like mine… 

He and his wife were down from Chicago escaping the cold…

We even joined in a chorus of Happy Birthday

to a man who turned 90 years old.

Yes in times when we’re surrounded by hatred and prejudice and war

It’s nice to be reminded…what we were created for…

Like spending time with our family and friends….

making memories time cannot erase…

Like sharing little bits of love

in a place where horses race.

 As our family gathered around our table this Christmas

sharing laughter, love and cheer…

I thought about all the times we’ve sat around this table

for over 30 years.

For years this table was just the right size for our little family

when we’d come together for meals, birthdays and holidays

it fit us comfortably.

Over time as our family tree grew…

(which now, looking back seems so brief)

this table expanded to fit us…

all we had to do was add a leaf.

And when our family grew too big 

and there was no more room for this table to grow…

we set up a card table close by to handle the overflow.

For many years this is how we celebrated…it was a beautiful sight to see….

and we were perfectly happy being a two-table family.

But with three of our family members now moved and unable to get away…

we were back to sitting around one table this Christmas holiday.

And even though we Face-Timed the whole evening…

played our games…had lots of fun…

I confess to one wistful moment in the beginning

when I realized we’ve gone from two tables…back to one.

Life moves on…it changes as each year into another blends.

Which means we’re constantly redefining the boundaries 

and how far our family extends.

But speaking as a parent and grandparent 

to all our family members…wherever you may roam

there will always be a table…or two…waiting…

every time you come back home.

May we all be blessed to have the kind of family

It matters not how big…or small…

where the happiness or the sadness of one

is the happiness or the sadness of all

There are many signs I have grown older…that make me wonder…how

in the blink of an eye…

All the time I’ve been alive…all the years that have slipped by.

When I look into a mirror…sometimes…I feel chagrin…

What hair I have left has turned to gray…and there are wrinkles on my skin.

Sometimes my body aches…from my head down to my toes…

Are my ears supposed to be this big?

And don’t get me started on my nose!

But I don’t need a mirror to see how quickly time has flown.

All I have to do is look at my children…and grandchildren  

and see how much they’ve grown.

As I see the men and women they’ve become…

and are becoming

Across my face a smile spreads…

That smooths out every wrinkle and softens every gray hair on my head.

A smile that extends out to my ears…and changes the shape of my nose…

that soothes any ache I might be feeling…from my head down to my toes.

I know I’m growing older…of this I have no doubt….

but growing older has never been something I worry too much about….

Because, no matter how many years have passed….

No matter how many swings the pendulum of time has swung….

My children and my grandchildren have always found a way

to make me feel young.