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Thursday, September 5, 2019

Poetry Friday - Goodbyes


          This first Friday of September, Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong hosts this Poetry Friday at their blog, Poetry for Children. Thanks, Sylvia and Janet! I have also been watching the hurricane news, wishing a good outcome for all those in this community. It is heart-breaking to see the news of those in the Bahamas. 

          This past Wednesday it was six years since my husband, Arvie, left us. I still want to tell him things, ask him questions, be with him. My life is as good as I can make it, but I've never stopped missing him. I, with Arvie, have raised children of which I am so proud, who have chosen loving spouses whom I love being part of our family. And many of you know because of them, I have three special grandchildren. 
         Time is fleeting. We all know that. Thoreau touches me with this quote: "“Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in. I drink at it; but while I drink I see the sandy bottom and detect how shallow it is. Its thin current slides away, but eternity remains.” ~ “Where I Lived, and What I Lived For,” Walden 
          Here's a poem I originally wrote for Carter, my oldest grandchild, now in his first year at college. I've changed it a bit to include the grand-girls, too, now ten and eight. I've written more than one poem about them, call them "goodbye" poems, trying to capture them at certain ages before that time flies away!
         When I am with them all, I wish Arvie could see the children growing up, and have fun with them as I know he would have if he were still here. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather.


at the beach - June 2019
         Sometimes Goodbyes

Oops, it’s time. I must depart
     from these kids who stole my heart.
     Now, they’re looking very tall;
     some never play with toys at all.
     I remember they used to be
     the ones who sat and read with me,
     and held my hand as we walked along
     and listened while I sang them songs.
     I also know though nearly grown,
      they’re still the little kids I’ve known.

Linda Baie ©



39 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing this touching poem reflecting back on your grand kids Linda. Yes, time "is fleeting," and slips by us way too fast. I like the Walden quote you shared, and your watery photo image–Lovely post!

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    1. Thanks, Michelle. It is a post I need to write each September & Carter going to college means a new look at time.

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  2. A poignant post, Linda. Your love for Arvie and the rest of your family is palpable. I'm (still) sorry for your loss. Best of luck to Carter as he navigates his first year at college.

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    1. He's having a great time so far, Tabatha, but tougher on the parents! Thank you.

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  3. Oh, my goodness....the feeling in this post is felt deep in my heart. I cannot imagine missing my spouse for six years. You've filled your life with beautiful activities and people...and written so many into poems like Sometimes Goodbye. I feel very special to be able to be one that benefits from the purposeful joy you find and share. Seeing a kid go off to college is so bitter sweet. My second darling is there now in her first year and all is well--but I miss the little girl in our home. I will carry this poem with me at least all day. Thank you,

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    1. I know some of you have children off to college, or other adventures, a wonderful thing but hard goodbyes, too. Thanks, Linda.

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  4. Beautifully expressed, Linda. "Oops, it's time. I must depart..." - that seems to be just how it is. There's good stuff ahead, but we can't help but miss what left us.

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  5. What a lovely life you and your Arvie created together. I'm so sorry he had to depart too soon. Your poem brought tears. I have a 2 year old granddaughter. We're in the midst of those walks hoolding hands and book cuddles. I want to cling to each one of these fleeting moments. Thank you for sharing your heart and your poem, Linda. Both are beautiful.

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    1. It's lovely to hear about your granddaughter, Kimberly, a very special relationship for sure. I love hearing about those walks and cuddles! Thanks.

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  6. Your poem brought tears to my eye, Linda. I am sorry for your loss. It is clear that you and Arvie built a beautiful and loving family together.

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  7. ❤️ every single word of the post and the poem.

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    1. Thank you, Liz. As I wrote earlier, it's a post that feels good to write every September.

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  8. What a lovely remembrance with a hug in every phrase. It's clear the memories embrace you as well, and I send my own hug. ♥

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  9. Love and Hugs to you, Linda. Such a heartfelt, poignant post. I remember the year Arvie passed -- how can it already be six years? Yes, he definitely would be SO proud of his grandkids, who are growing up too fast. Love your beautiful poem and the Thoreau quote. Sigh . . .

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    1. Yes, six years have gone in a seeming minute! I love that quote, too. Thoreau often speaks to me. Thanks, Jama.

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  10. Hugs to you as your remember your husband in a special way this week. What a blessing that he continues to touch all our lives through you.

    I love your poem, especially the last two lines. <3

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    1. Though every day brings memories, this week especially brings harder ones, so it helps to write. Thank you, Carmela.

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  11. Hugs to you, Linda. What an eloquent poem. I"m thankful for the power of poems to celebrate the moments and times and people now past or passed and also to explore all the beauty and wonder right here in the present. Poetry is so healing to me--I love your beautiful poem.

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    1. Thanks, Laura. I am so thankful for poetry, too, as you wrote, certainly a help to me.

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  12. I can feel that the love you both shared was and is very powerful. Thank you for this post that gives so much of yourself to all of us. I love your poem - I, too, said tearful goodbyes to two grandchildren headed off to college for the first time. As your poem acknowledges, no matter how grown up, somewhere inside is still the little child we loved and nurtured. What a blessing that we were given that opportunity.

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    1. You've said it well, Joyce. We are blessed indeed. Thank you. Best wishes for marvelous beginnings to your own grands!

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  13. Very nice work! I love this poem. Great job! Your poem really resonated with me having a loss in my family not too long ago. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thanks, Tim. I'm glad that the poem touched you.

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  14. Beautiful tribute to Arvie - your poem, the quote, your inspirational love. Thank you for sharing your heart, Linda. =)

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    1. You're welcome, Bridget. It is good to be able to remember Arvie in this way, counting my blessings, too.

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  15. So sweet, Linda! Moments with are little ones are so precious and the time passes so quickly. Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem!

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    1. You're welcome, Kiesha. Yes, time is fleeting, good to write how good they are once in a while.

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  16. This is a lovely poem filled with wisdom to treasure your grandkids (and many others) while we can. I can't imagine missing my spouse for six years. Your love shines through your life and children and grandchildren.

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  17. This is such a beautiful post and filled with love. Anniversaries bring their own challenges and you're in my heart and mind as you face this one. I'm sorry for your loss and thankful that you clearly have a store of rich and warm memories to comfort you. Thanks for sharing this poignant poem and the Thoreau quote as well.

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  18. Thanks, Kay & Molly. As I wrote earlier, it was a needed post, sad but a good one to write for me, too.

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  19. Hi Linda! Beautiful post! Happy grandparents day to you!

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    1. Thanks, you helped get this here! Happy Grandparents Day right back!

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  20. Linda, so much love here! Thanks for sharing your heart so openly this week with this Poetry Friday family! ❤️

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  21. Linda, your beautiful poem is especially touching to me as I await the birth of my first grandchild. My son and his wife live in Virginia, so I know I will have to say goodbye before I'm ready too many times. Hugs to you this month, and always.

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    1. It's a wonderful and special thing to be a grandparent, Catherine. Congratulations to you & I'll look forward to your sharing when that baby arrives. Thank you!

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