Sunday 2 March 2014

Holding on and letting go: A parent's constant struggle

Do you want me to come in there?
Rocking you back and forth
like when you were a baby
was more healing for me than you.

I hear you through the wall.
The sobs
shaking your body
vibrate into my heart.

Everything, no matter how small
that is important to you
is important to me.
I know I can't make it go away

But I hope you know
I'm here.
I'm here for you
I'm always here.

I love you.
Goodnight.

9 comments:

writekimwrite said...

A hard night for Mama and her baby. Hang on!

Teacher Mom said...

I can feel your pain in the writing. How hard it is when our children are hurting. I hope things begin to look up for you. If you are the praying type, I will send up an extra one tonight.

Meg Blaze said...

You made me think that sometimes I try to fix my daughter's problems to help me and not her. It's so hard, particularly in the moment, to know how much to do.

As a teachers, I see the end result of helicopter and zamboni parents, yet I still want to clear the way for my daughther and rescue her.

Unknown said...

I can so feel the love in this post. There is nothing like the love a mother has for her child. Beautiful.

GirlGriot said...

Beautiful. Went right to my heart.
~Stacie

Unknown said...

There is nothing like the love a mother has for her child. This was so beautifully written. I felt your pain.

Forever The Teacher said...

Just beautiful. I'm not a parent yet but I can imagine that a child becoming more independent would be bittersweet.

Jennifer Ward said...

Oh Sarah! My heart breaks reading your piece. I can empathize with your poem as a mom myself, and that balance of wanting to be the shield, to protect our little ones from all the bangs and scraps of life, but also wanting them to experience all that life has to offer on their own terms, to have their own life changing experiences, is such a delicate dance. Thank you for sharing!

Elisa said...

I remember this. Wanting to comfort but hesitating. Do they really want us there?? Your child knows you're there and when s/he is ready, they'll search for your comfort and guidance.