by wiaka's just ... curious
Member since:
December 15, 2006

When Children Grow Up

November 05, 2007 02:39 AM EST (Updated: November 05, 2007 03:30 AM EST)
views: 137 | comments: 56

 

 

As tears roll down; oh what have I done?

I cannot hold her, as she walks out the door

When did I lose her; have I truly tried

I would rather of died then feel this way inside.

 

I look where she once lay

Now empty as my heart

Oh where do I start?

Why did we have to part?

 

The years have flown by

She’s grown so fast,

Now she has started her new life

So willing was she to part

With a piece of my heart.

 

I want to reach out and touch her

But there is nothing but air.

Did I show her I really care?

Have I listened to her voice, did she have a choice?

 

 

 

 

 
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Comments: 56

Elise F. Nov 5, 2007, 2:46am EST
Beautifully capture the feelings of the empty nest...
I find that I go over coversations and actions
- second guessing myself - did I do it right? did I too much? not enough?
I know that I can only look to re-establishing a relationship - adult to adult.
Teresa W. Nov 5, 2007, 2:53am EST
This is beautiful and so sad. A mother's lament really and we always wonder. Like Elise says, now we can only look to re-establishing a relationship - adult to adult. But I have found that even as an adult, sometimes I still wonder, am I doing the right thing? Is this enabling behavior or...? All a mother can really do is love them always.
this is truly beautiful.
CyberGwen ! Nov 5, 2007, 3:09am EST
I hate to sound like a parrot, but it is really beautiful.
J W. Nov 5, 2007, 3:47am EST
good poem
Beverly T. Nov 5, 2007, 5:12am EST
You've got some beautiful pictures here too! I guess a mother is always a mother. I tell my young people (no longer kids!) that it's a mother thing, and they'll understand some day.

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Facing the Darkness to Come: Seasonal Depression

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August Lady Nov 5, 2007, 5:42am EST
I just love this!!! You've captured the essence of the empty nest. Your poem and photos are just beautiful! Thanks for sharing this. I'm crying already...
Pepsie J. Nov 5, 2007, 5:46am EST
Very deep poetic photo essay. Thank you.
Deb J. Nov 5, 2007, 8:00am EST
Wonderful poem! I get scared sometimes because my daughter is growing up so fast. She's just 8 now, but I have 2 grown sons, so I know how hard it can be!
Heather W. Nov 5, 2007, 8:30am EST
Very nice poem and pictures.
Sammie B. Nov 5, 2007, 8:56am EST
Aww...how sad. You made me cry. :( My mother and I are going through this stage right now seeing as how I'll be moving out pretty soon...it's very sad to think about.

You captured the emotion and everything beautifully in this poem.
You pretty well nailed the emotions. Well done.
LaRue B. Nov 5, 2007, 9:06am EST
That is just about how it feels when the last one leaves home. However, I was looking forward to travel and visiting all my children in their own places, then one moved back home with child. We are however enjoying our new grandson. Our oldest daughter with her 5 children and our son with his daughter and the other two girls will be here for Thanksgiving. Oh what fun we have when they all return.
I kind of had those same feelings when our oldest daughter left for college. She never did move back home. Now she is married with a bunch of kids and lives so far away. I love it when she comes for visits and enjoy all of my grandchildren, as every one is a favored one.
Penny O. Nov 5, 2007, 10:28am EST
Always keep in mind when a child leaves home an adult will return. Second guessing yourself is living in the past. Very well written but I believe that it is not sorrow but joy that should be expressed because a new world is opening up before her and she has the good base to stand on to venture forth.
Carol Roach Nov 5, 2007, 3:25pm EST
so tender and poignant
j - Frugal Mom - r. Nov 5, 2007, 6:38pm EST
This is so beautiful Wiaka.
Alison H. Nov 5, 2007, 6:47pm EST
You wrote a lovely poem, Wiaka. I'm sure you did a good job of mothering; your love shines through!
Joan B. Nov 5, 2007, 7:40pm EST
Really emotional!
becky soccer mom x1 p. Nov 5, 2007, 8:04pm EST
what a beautiful poem. I was crying while reading this.
Lisa Frost Nov 5, 2007, 8:09pm EST
Wonderful, and truly touching the emotions with dealing with watching your family walk away to start their own life
j - Frugal Mom - r. Nov 5, 2007, 8:51pm EST
Congratulations, your article made it to the top five at Today's Top Photos and Articles

Come check out Today's Top Five Articles
elizabeth e. Nov 5, 2007, 9:16pm EST
Poignant, wiaka.
Bonnie S. Nov 5, 2007, 9:16pm EST
Very nice poem and pictures, congratulations on making it to the top five : )
Sue * Nov 5, 2007, 9:16pm EST
I'm still trying to get used to it...
Linda DeMerle Nov 5, 2007, 10:00pm EST
Congratulations on the top 5!
Great poem and the picture topped it off just right! Congratulations on being in the Top 5.
Jan S. Nov 5, 2007, 10:42pm EST
You have expressed the separation pain perfectly.
My baby is a junior in college 75 miles away and the invisible umbilical cord still gets tugged. No matter how old the kids are and how independent and responsible, mothers always hold in our hearts the safe years, when we had them close.
Lela M. Nov 6, 2007, 3:52am EST
I know that you have shown her that you really care. Don't worry she will be back to visit and later she will share some of the best times of her life with you. My daughter is 28 and she still comes back. Congrats on the top five.
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Nov 6, 2007, 10:02am EST
This is beautiful!
Bridget ♥ Nov 6, 2007, 10:04am EST
This is beautiful, I lovedit Waika!
Amanda C. Nov 6, 2007, 10:08am EST
such a beautiful poem!
Thanks for sharing!
Congrats on being in the top 5.
wiaka's just ... curious Nov 6, 2007, 12:37pm EST
Oh my osh< I didn't expect this. Thank you everyone for all the wonderful comments. I wrote this to my daughter when I realized it would be very soon that she will be all grown up and out on her own and these are the feelings I had. Now it looks like I need to return the favor and comment your material.

Blessings
Cristina S. Nov 6, 2007, 1:45pm EST
Beautiful thoughts and pictures!
We all have to go through this, don't we!!

But then, so did our parents - and back then, we thought it was totally normal to do what we did... hmm...
wiaka's just ... curious Nov 6, 2007, 2:45pm EST
You have an excellent point Cristina, however it doesn't make it any less painful. I really just need to change the way i look at it and quit being selfish I guess.

blessings
Norvona J. Nov 6, 2007, 3:43pm EST
I first felt this anxiety when my oldest started to kindergarten. Suddenly I realized that I could not longer be there to protect him and know everything that was happening to him . . . and yes, I admit it. I felt jealous that he would be sharing a part of himself with other people . . . people I did not select for him! Thankfully this did not last long. However, it did return briefly when he went away to college.

Now he is forty-years-old, a great person and a wonderful friend. Children are the truth in the saying: "If you love something, let it go . . . It will return to you." Or something like that. :-)

I have a photo and poem along this same line at the following link:

NO LONGER NEEDED
Victoria H. Nov 6, 2007, 3:45pm EST
This almost made me cry, Wiaka, and my two are only four and two. I know this is how I will one day feel when they've grown and go out into the world on their own. I hope times slows down and it takes forever for that moment to come...........sometimes. :) (Some days they drive me crazy! LOL) Thanks for sharing and posting to "All Photo Essays Here".
Melinda ~choosing happiness~ S. Nov 6, 2007, 4:31pm EST
My children are in their 30's and as much as I love seeing them flourish, I'll always want my babies back.
Lovely words, Wiaka.
Nancy S. Nov 7, 2007, 12:25am EST
Just beautiful Wiaka. I've been through this 6 times. They have all stayed close and have brought me grandchildren to baby.
donna h. Nov 7, 2007, 11:19pm EST
I know this feeling
William Dotani Nov 8, 2007, 12:17am EST
A beautiful, but somewhat sad reflection of a mother wondering about the role she has played in her child's life now that the child is an adult. This poem is filled with the agony of doubt and your last line captures this feeling perfectly.
In the first stanza, line 4, the word way is not needed.
Digital Diva S. Nov 8, 2007, 9:23pm EST
Lovely - I'm sure there is not a mother out there who thinks she was good enough...But we are good enough. We teach what we can, love and support and then let them go...
JanDistefano.com check out my website Nov 10, 2007, 7:23am EST
A touch of sorrow but only for ourselves as there is so much joy for them as they grow. Until they reach a certain age and then ....
JanDistefano.com check out my website Nov 10, 2007, 7:25am EST
PS - I think I will post a poem I wrote for my youngest son when he was away at college and turned 21.
Bundy P Nov 10, 2007, 6:02pm EST
Awww
Donald M. Nov 10, 2007, 10:55pm EST
That was awesome. I have visited with you a lot and never knew you were a poet.
wiaka's just ... curious Nov 11, 2007, 1:59pm EST
All of you are so kind in your comments, and some know the feel and that helps.

Norma I really have to feel the emotion for the words to come out and for the most part I am not very emotional; it just wasn't done in our family.

Blessings
Allana G. Nov 11, 2007, 2:58pm EST
Wow, how did I miss this? We seem to belong to many of the same groups. I am struggling with this myself: my older children, boys, are 15 and 17. This is a crystallization of many of my feelings. Good job.
Yvette F. Nov 11, 2007, 9:12pm EST
Beautiful. I loved the photos, too. My two oldest are grown and these words captured my emotions.
The Red Headed Witch of Gather G. Nov 13, 2007, 10:49am EST
beautifully written
wiaka's just ... curious Nov 14, 2007, 3:08am EST
Thank you for visiting my article and leaving a comment, all of your comments are appreciated and are so thoughtful.

Blessings
Jerri H. Nov 14, 2007, 12:11pm EST
Awww....I dread that day!
necee t. Nov 24, 2007, 9:20pm EST
hi wiaka... this is beautiful... we all have to let go sometime...
Blessings to you...

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