Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Good Grief

I bought cleaning products
And a coffee maker
Trash bags, toilet paper
Paper towels and
Bath towels
He knew how to clean
Just not with what
Loaded that 16 ft truck
Dad drove it
Mom followed it
For four hours
Until arrived in darkness
Hefted and hauled
Piling boxes, furniture in
His (really?) apartment
Of course he was on
The second floor
Cut himself on the ill-
Maintained door
Down to last and heaviest
Thing, my heart?
No-his mattress
Always thought I'd be
The exception
Glad hearted at the leaving
Instead, heart is grieving
Yet, it's what I wished for
A whole new world
For him to explore

Offered up tonight for Open Link Night at dversepoets.com—true story, Saturday moved my youngest son into his own apartment, where he'll finish school. Loved moving out when I went to school, figured I'd be able to channel that—wrong. Hard to let go and watch the struggle, but so necessary. Hence the title.  Someone hit his car, the water was turned off, the cable doesn't work, the landlord broke promises about internet access, and there was a whole greeting committee of roaches...reality via fire hose. :-) Cheers!

17 comments:

  1. ah def a hard transition of life...for him and for you...and to watch him struggle surely...as he will...as we did...smiles...good on him though...i wish him the best...

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    1. Hi Brian!! Thank you so much for the empathy and good wishes. It is hard, yet I'm proud he's plugging on and not whining :-)

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  2. Sara, always hard to be a parent watching a young person go through this transition. It has such a different flavor, doesn't it, than when you were the one doing the transitioning. Sounds like he's got a lot to work out in this new place....but like you did, he'll do it too!

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    1. Hi Mary!! Excellent point, how much easier it was when I was the one transitioning! Makes me want to call my parents and apologize for not calling more often. However, different times, no easy access--cell phones, texting....thank you for the vote of confidence and as always your warm words make me smile :-)

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  3. This is a big step in both of your lives. Well written, evoking emotion without overkill.

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    1. Hi Victoria!! Thank you so much, I was really trying to avoid maudelin :-)

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  4. ugh on the roaches...and yes...not easy to let go...my eldest daughter went to bolivia for a year and in a few weeks she will do parts of her studying in australia and will be away another half year..so i can train the letting go.. little one still at home at the moment but maybe goes abroad as well for half a year in summer...def. a felt piece sara

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    1. Hi Claudia!! Oh yes, big ugh on the roaches! The landlord is sending the exterminator today :-) Sounds like your daughters have wonderful opportunities! Thank you for the empathy and the sharing. Always appreciate your comments.

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  5. Oh letting them grow up is tough...he is just facing a few of the many challenges to come. He will be fine. :)

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    1. Hi Susie!! There is that comfort in knowing he'll be fine. Thank you for the reminder :-)

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  6. So hard to let go :( I know. I wish him good luck and I wish you all the best. It's a big adjustment but a part of life. You gave him wings so he can fly.

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    1. Hi Ayala, thank you so much for your optimism! It helps a lot. And for the good wishes, it's a hard thing, but necessary :-)

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  7. Sara, I know... when Riley, my only child, moved out, she boomeranged out of school once and came back home, but when she got to CA the only thing I had to do was... drive her our used car, cross country!

    You put it well - not just the sadness of letting go, but the frustration of wanting all to be right, ducks in a row, before you leave "your baby" to his own devices! Amy

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    1. Hi Amy!! I knew that you would share in this with me. So hard, yet that's the way it works. Thank you so much for the empathy and the compliment! :-)

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  8. Hiya Sara,
    Two-edged sword, them leaving home. It takes a dose of courage on both sides.
    So well described and the title is a gem.

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    1. Hi Aprille!! So great to see you. Have missed visiting you and your wonderful poems and photos--you worded it perfectly, a two-edged sword. And it does take courage on both sides :-) Thank you for noticing the title, I thought it was pretty fitting, too...

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Your words are wonderful! Thanks for popping in--I'll be over in a snap!