Babies grow
(they were my “push presents” in the 80's).
Time goes on
Days into years.
-
Constant yelps and demands
Turn into (sometimes) calls and (sometimes) cards
And (usually) texts sent my way
With the seasons.
-
Daily schedules
Appointments, practices, plays, and performances.
Stop.
Time is mine now.
They’re on their own.
-
Not down the hall.
I’m no longer listening for the door.
Rooms are empty.
I see their lifeline now on my timeline.
-
Towels remain dry
The brush and comb remain mine on my dresser.
Fading photos on my fridge
Show me their long ago faces.
-
Getting dressed each day
I am reminded when they were just mine.
My body bears still
The indelible marks of Mother.
-
Parenting is hard, Mommying is tricky.
Trying to remember my Mother is even harder.
Please click on the wee heart if my writing clicked with you, and drop in a comment to share your thoughts!
You can also find me on Medium, where this poem first appeared.
About the Creator
Judey Kalchik
It's my time to find and use my voice.
Poetry, short stories, memories, and a lot of things I think and wish I'd known a long time ago.
You can also find me on Medium
And please follow me on Threads, too!
Keep reading
More stories from Judey Kalchik and writers in Poets and other communities.
Comments (14)
So true and so well done
Beautiful work Judey! BRAVO!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
The days are long, but the years are short ❤
“I remember when they were just mine.” So beautifully written and relatable as a parent, Judey! 🥰 Well, except for the indelible marks. 😎
Empty nesting, wondrous quiet with an oft aching heart.
Beautiful piece. Well done.
'J' ~ Regarding your "Trying to Remember" ~ Sometimes what you leave out is as important as what you leave in! 'J'
Dear Judey ~ You had me at the Eyes ~ They tell it all! After reading all of your 'touching' offerings. I've decided to reach out and tell "Wheelchair Etiquette ~The view looking UP"...but no one is reading it. I get that. I'm way out of the demographics; I'm fine with that. I'm just a self-described "Goof-Writer" for the fun of it; nothing more. But, I would so love to see VM set up a 'Senior' Section. Who better than our 'Gen' to pass notes! Thank you for always being the 'real' you! - Vocal Authors Community - Jay Kantor, Chatsworth, California 'Senior' Vocal Author
Judey, this was a very heartfelt poem! It made me quite emotional--and I don't have children. Time flies when you are a mother, doesn't it? Thank you for sharing this with us!
Brilliant and beautiful!!! Perfectly expressed!!!
This is so lovely and bittersweet. My daughter is almost 9, so she’s still rather demanding of my time and energy, but I know that won’t last forever. 💖
As a non-mother... I can still really appreciate this poem, Judey. You managed to convey mommyness in a way that feels sweet, endearing, nostalgic, disappointing, joy-giving... complex, yet simple... this just feels very *real*. Thanks for painting this picture for us :)
Not gonna say I relate of course, but great poem 😊.. this poem makes me feel like I should talk more to my own mother
Motherhood at its finest, 🫶🏽