In just a few days my marvelous Emily will be 20 years old!
I think many mothers become nostalgic around the birthdays of their children and I admit to shedding a tear when I looked at the photographs from so many years ago. She is now off at university and leaping into and loving her life there, so actually I am happy and wouldn't change a thing!
The early spring when I was awaiting her birth seems such a long time ago now. I remember how strange it was to be part of a natural cycle that is so very normal and ordinary but to me so earth-shatteringly amazing and life changing.
I think many mothers become nostalgic around the birthdays of their children and I admit to shedding a tear when I looked at the photographs from so many years ago. She is now off at university and leaping into and loving her life there, so actually I am happy and wouldn't change a thing!
The early spring when I was awaiting her birth seems such a long time ago now. I remember how strange it was to be part of a natural cycle that is so very normal and ordinary but to me so earth-shatteringly amazing and life changing.
Last days before the Beginning
I am fat and tight as a lilac bud.
I am waiting, still and quiet as a bulb in the dark earth.
Soon Spring will be here, pushing, bursting and blossoming.
As for now, I like to watch for the early flowers
The slim, frail snowdrops give me courage
that I too will be brave and bring forth my burden.
It's hard to imagine a new life inside me
but as the poet says-
" Nothing is certain, only the certain Spring".
Happy Birthday my dearest girl.
That was lovely, Jane! Who wrote it?
ReplyDeleteI understand all about daughters, as I have a very beautiful flower, myself: my daughter Gabriella. She is identical to me, and watching her grow up is at times strange, but also wonderful.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO EMILY!
HUGS
ANNA
xxx
Hi Anna, it is wonderful to have a daughter isn't it? I love the name Gabriella, I'm sure she is beautiful too, like you! I'm glad you like the poem. I wrote it. It had been brewing in my mind for several days but I actually wrote it all in one go in the early stages of labour!!! Hugs to you and have a happy week. Jane xxx
ReplyDeleteIt's a truly beautiful poem, Jane! I love it! Well done for writing such a beautiful thing!
DeleteI understand your deep love, because that's how I feel towards my girl... yes, having a daughters is wonderful!
HUGS
ANNA
xxx
I'm so glad you like my poem Anna, it's one of my favourites. It always feels especially personal to post my poems, I do feel shy about them. It's very hard to judge your own work and it's so easy to write a bad poem and think its brilliant! Jane xxx
DeleteBeautiful, Jane. We have two sons who have given us daughters through marriage. And then almost 3 years ago the older couple presented us with a baby girl who has become the light of our lives. Watching her grow has been a new and delightful experience for us. Jim
ReplyDeleteHello Jim,
DeleteThey do bring such happiness, don't they? I'm so lucky with my two 'urchins'. Jane xx
Happy Birthday, Emily.
ReplyDeleteThanks John, she will no doubt read this! Jane xx
DeleteHappy Birthday Emily! Where does the time go Jane? My son is heading for 18 in April and it only seems like yesterday he was a tiny baby, now he's taller than me and has a goatee beard!
ReplyDeleteJo xx
Hi Jo, I know, the strangest thing is seeing photos of Sam from about a year ago, in such a short time he is now taller than both of us! Jane xx ( no beard yet tho')
DeleteYou have no idea how fitting this post is to me today Jane. It expresses my feelings so well. My oldest daughter Catherine will have her 51st birthday this coming Saturday (25th). The year she was born the tulips were blooming which is extremely rare here in Wyoming. Your post is so dear and the picture of you is beautiful. Happy Birthday to your dear daughter! Diane
ReplyDeleteDear Diane, how good it is to share with friends across the world. Emily's birthday is actually the 26th! Will you say Happy Birthday to Catherine from me? Thank you. Jane xx
DeleteThey grow up oh so quickly, a lovely post that strikes a cord.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I do love how our posts connect with each other and we share so much! Jane xx
DeleteJane, I have a spring baby we will be celebrating soon as well. They grow up and leave to venture out on their own....and that is how it should be, sigh. Thanks for a beautiful post; and, Happy Birthday to your spring baby. Bonnie
ReplyDeleteA happy Birthday to your Spring baby Bonnie. I think it's a particularly lovely time of year to have a baby. It just sems right somehow! Jane xx
DeleteWonderful poem, great photograph and a lovely post. Happy Birthday to your lovely girl. Love Linda x
ReplyDeleteHi Linda,
DeleteThanks for your kind greetings. I'm glad you like my poem and photograph. Emily had the sweetestold family bonnet, so we dressed her in her christening robe, I also dressed in an old fashioned way and posed at the door of our little cottage. It does look quite 'past times-ish' doesn't it? Jane xx
Happy birthday to your daughter - a spring baby like my son. My daughter is a summer baby - born in the heat of August...We have them for such a short time, enjoy every moment with her.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I really do enjoy every moment. She's back this weekend for her birthday and we're going to the Shepton Mallet flea market together... bliss! Jane xx
DeleteHello jane, I just love that photo of the too of you, its lovely. Happy Happy Birthday to Emily I hope she had a lovely time xx
ReplyDeletea beatiful poem too ....
Sophie x
Hello Sophie, Good to hear from you, I'm glad you liked my photo and poem too. I'd forgotten about it and was so pleased to find it when I was having a nostalgic browse throgh my photograph albums.
DeleteI've finally got my public liability insurance sorted, so have sent off all my stuff for the vintage nostagia fair in May... Roll on the Spring!
Jane xx
Hello Jane
ReplyDeleteA Very Happy Birthday to Emily. I love her name.
Your poem is very moving and powerful. I just love it. It gave me goosebumps.
You are a great poet. Do you continue writing poetry?
I also like your new look and header.
Helenxx
Hello Helen,
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased to have worked out how to change my header! Thank you for your praise of my poem. It has always been my greatest ambition to write really good poems but it is almost impossible to judge my own work. I do still write a little but you need to keep your emotions strong and raw and not too middle-aged and controlled to do so! It's finding the time (and energy) to really notice the world and feel it and then convert it into poetry. Not so different from painting I suspect!
Jane xx
Hello Jane
ReplyDeleteI really love your new layout and header picture. And what a wonderful poem too, especially as it was written during labour!
I hope Emily had a very Happy Birthday. My son will be 21 this year.... where do the years go?!
I did appreciate your kind comments on my post. Mother and pony are both much better thank you :)
I hope you have a nice weekend.
Love, Abby xx
Hello Abby, I'm so glad things are better with you and yours. Ems had a great birthday, we went to Shepton flea market and then had a meal out. Her more outrageous celebrations will no doubt take place next week when she goes back to Uni....Hope you have a happy week. Jane xx
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