a flower delicate on its needle thin stem
plucked on her walk home from school
days before summer arrived in full
a gift for me
her mother
i place it on the window sill
appreciative of her kindness
my little girl
my baby
always
yes of course she is
often absorbed in thoughts
her personal universe
worlds away from this one
as it should be at
fifteen
dreaming
oh remember fifteen?
hours and hours
wielding a curling iron
makeup applied with care
outfits funky jewelry
designed by her nimble
fingers and a mind
as sharp as her skin is soft
don't let the blond hair
and forever legs fool you
into believing she's any less
brilliant
than the sun causing her to squint
her blue eyes in the glare
she looks up to see patches of sky
between tall buildings unfamiliar
more accustomed to granite embedded in earth
where stone hearts wait to be found
is she
soon enough she'll be ready to live wherever she
lands
i don't want to count the weeks
who will bring me flowers when my youngest
moves on too?
moves on too?
i count my breaths instead
pride pleasure joy and grieving
a whirling wind in my chest
heavy and tight
i smile anyway
because
this is how it is
this is how it is
The girls and I are traveling as you can tell from the photos; here and there, busy, busy. Not my usual routine. It is good, and uncomfortable all at once. I miss my husband. I miss my dog. I miss our woods and am searching for patches of nature on morning walks on sidewalk amid suburban sprawl. How wondrous it is to be walking on my own. WALKING on sidewalks. Something I could not do a year ago. Could not imagine doing ever again, a year ago. How blessed I am to be with extended family for an extended stay. I am grateful even while missing my beloved (and my dog and our woods:-)
Living with longing and gratitude blended; this is how it is. Being human, aware of holding the tension of both, trying to find center. Yes, this is how it is.
Yes, these beautiful flower girls - I have two of my own, and the oldest left home this year for college. Not something a mother can ever get used to, all we can be is proud of their strength.
ReplyDeleteLovely words and images you have shared with us, Laura.
They quickly grow up don't they ~ Your girls are beautiful ~
ReplyDeleteHappy day to you ~
How wonderful--both the pictures and their story, their structures affirming "this is how it is" a rough magic of growth. I do remember 15, and love how you draw me back there both as a girl, as a daughter, and as if a mother.
ReplyDeleteAwww... heartwarming and heartfelt read. Chloe is 16 now, two more years of high school and then she'll be off somewhere to college or uni.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are lovely, your daughter is beautiful. Wherever we go, there is no place like home, is there. Safe travels.
I came to see your black and white shots and was surprised to find so many photos! Great verses for your girls.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful photos and sentiments. I have two girls and it was tough when they were of an age to go out into the world. And yes This is How it is.
ReplyDeleteLaura, what amazing pictures and what a heartfelt post. What a journey it must be to send off your young into the wild...
ReplyDeletebeautifully tender and affectionate.kudos and congrats!
ReplyDeleteI love the beauty in your photos and the sincerity in your words! So glad you found such joy in walking! Even though it was not in your woods.....
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful....Joy and little pangs.....and so is life....
ReplyDeleteHey, great post. Good photos too, I can tell that you try to find creativity everywhere.
ReplyDeleteThe poem makes me think of the time at the airport at eighteen...the look on my mums face....
I lost my twin sister last year.
http://kolembo.wordpress.com/2011/01/29/morning-come/
Loss is a funny thing. I know where she is, and you know, everyone has to leave.
I see what my mum was looking at.
i am sure where ever she lands she will grow...with what you have given her...great pictures....and love that found heart...
ReplyDeleteOkay...a few tears over this one...I can't imagine! My little lass graduates to junior high this year and I'm on the verge of a nervous breakdown...LEAVING!? NEVER! A mom can hope, eh? Always such a wonderful visit Laura...awesome to know your traveling and enjoying...and isn't wonderful to have something worth missing...those are the heart pangs that are priceless...The photo's, btw...are fantastic!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos and sentiments...we have to let them go which is so hard..I know.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.. bittersweet.. but beautiful. Your girl is lovely.. just like her mom. Enjoy your days with them. Of course you will. Hugs to you, Laura.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post--sad, but heartfelt, really tugged at my heartstrings. My oldest is at college, but I still have my two girls at home... For now.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos and words. You daughter is so pretty.
ReplyDeleteah, your girls are beautiful laura..and so great to hear that you're able to travel..have a wonderful time
ReplyDeleteYour girls are adorable. Nice post with lovely sentiments.
ReplyDeleteGood luck! Your girls are lovely. I have two daughters too - nothing better! Your feelings are palpable. k.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is inspiring. Thank you for visiting my art journaling... I will check out your meditation sessions...
ReplyDeleteKewl write and even better when from the heart
ReplyDeleteWonderful b&w shots!
ReplyDeleteGrab on to them with love, as you do...your love for them is so apparent!
ReplyDeleteI love this.....the pix add to the story, yet it is a heartbreaker, too.
Hugs!
Lady Nyo
PS> beautiful daughters, too!!
ReplyDeleteLady Nyo
What a beautiful and bittersweet post. Fabulous photos! Ohhh a mother's heart - mine beats for you. I'm so happy to read how you savor your time with them and capturing in pictures and words for us all to enjoy. Namaste!
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful photos! Have a nice Thursday evening!:)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the special occassion for the family and what a great heart find with the rock, you are very talented to find so many
ReplyDeleteWonderful post about your daughters.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteThey do indeed grow up so quickly! A lovely, moving post for the day, Laura! Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
Great series!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteYour prose hit home with me. Our youngest graduated college in 2010 and has been on her own now for 2 years. Some days the empty nest seems entirely too empty. But...I love your black and white sunflower shot. Very nicely done.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful pictures and words!
ReplyDeleteI know the feeling very well! When my daughter moved out, I felt as if a part of my life was missing! It took a long time to adjust! But then, part of the adjustment involved her achievements! That carried me! A beautiful, moving post! And love your skies in monochrome! The cloud patterns are so very beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend!
Wonderful black & whites Laura!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visit and comment.
Nice weekend!
Great post!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful words...
ReplyDeleteyou have captured the heart
of all mothers of teen-aged girls.
I have been there;
now she is 20, graduated college, and moved away.
But only in physical location,
not in my heart or hers.
The photos in black and white are perfect accompaniments to your text.
Gorgeous images! Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! So many different photos to see!
ReplyDeleteI like your b&w versions!
Both the flower and your daughter are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteA touching read. How blessed you are in your daughters.
ReplyDeleteGreat captures! Your daughters are beautiful women. It is great you are all spending time together. happy skywatching!
ReplyDeleteExcellent photos in B & W. I like all the flower, the model and the sky, very good.
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful! What a lovely flower your daughter is, too! Thanks for sharing with Flower Art Friday.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos and words.
ReplyDeleteYour girls are beautiful.
Wish you a wonderful weekend.
Mette
Great shots.
ReplyDeleteSydney - City and Suburbs
fantastic shots! and I love the b&w!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post and awesome photography ~ Wow! ~ thanks, ^_^ (A Creative Harbor)
ReplyDeleteit's amazing watching them grow, and then they have little girls who you can watch grow too
ReplyDeletedone for
How wonderful Laura - great shots!
ReplyDeleteso very beautiful! i too suffer from health problems for twelve years now. i will probably explain someday, but for now, for today I am still willing and able!
ReplyDeletethank you so much for your sweet comment. it meant a lot to me !
I hope to get to know you better !
What a wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteThe text is something to think about ......
Thanks for sharing
Great effect in B&W! Nice compositions too.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful and so poignant. Your photography captures your words so perfectly. xx
ReplyDeleteAwesome black and whites;-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post and beautiful photos. Happy sky watching.
ReplyDeleteMy Sky.
Wonderful photos and portraits. Beautiful captured !
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend, Laura.
A whirling wind in your chest is such an acurate description. You truly are blessed to have 2 such beautiful girls.
ReplyDeleteShe is beautiful!! You take care and thinking of you. Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteKim,USA
What a wonderful series! I don't which part I like the most, all shots are great.
ReplyDeleteNice photos here and do enjoy your travels.
ReplyDeletethanks for your lovely weekend flowers! wonderful bw-shots :)
ReplyDeleteoh, so beautiful! I love the photographs and the perspective they speak; from the flower, found by looking down, to your daughter, looking at her, to looking up at the sky through the sky scrapers... and the rock heart, wonderful too
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos!
ReplyDeletePurple Witches
fantastic shots!
ReplyDeleteWalking on your own! Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI do remember how hard it was, like a piece of me was missing when my sons left home for college. Little by little the hole fills with a new way of being, a new identity, not Mommy anymore but Mom. If we are wise, Mom and Dad go off to a new life, new adventures just as our children do.
Lovely Post
ReplyDeleteI have purposely not looked at the other comments as I feel sure I will be repeating sentiments here. Such sweet longing and gratitude all wrapped up into one heart-touched post. I loved every photograph and every word and will now "follow" you. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteVery nice shots and a very interesting blog. Thank you for the comment at my blog and welcome as follower :-)
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day
Micha
Beautiful, heart-wrenching words. Your youngest is a real beauty.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post! I now know how a child graduating tears at your heart. Beautiful photos of your beautiful daughter!
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I'm impressed! Wow!
ReplyDelete'don't let the blond hair
ReplyDeleteand forever legs fool you
into believing she's any less
brilliant
than the sun causing her to squint
her blue eyes in the glare'
Just beautiful. As Mothers we share our wisdom and who we truly are with our daughters, showing them that they are so much more than appearances.
tolle Bilder
ReplyDeleteLG vom katerchen
Wonderful set!
ReplyDeleteWow! Glorious presentation! :) Really beautiful, a moment captured in time! xoxo
ReplyDeleteWOW! This is so inspiring. I can drink from your words and refresh my soul. It has been so hot here, with high index heat warnings, that it seems to zap not only the physical being but the emotional and mental as well; so thank you so much for the wonderful words so well put and the stunning camera shots that accompany them!! Blessings - my youngest are moving and I am helping them and running a ton of errands as well so thank you again for your respite.
ReplyDeleteVery lovely post, images and words. Your daughter is so pretty.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by :)
Beautiful pictures!! I love your blog, very inspiring!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you are able to enjoy this special time with your daughters....what lovely words, perfectly illustrated. The weekly post is a nice way to go during a busy time -- good idea! Enjoy your travels and your beautiful girls!
ReplyDeleteShe really deserves this beautiful poem you've written. Congratulations on your graduation.
ReplyDeletedaughter's are forever gifts. gifts given to daughter's come back to you. watching our daughter's grow up to be our best friends is one of life's best treasures.
ReplyDeleteyou remain in my thoughts and prayers.
Beautiful photos and thoughts.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I love the way the pictures go with the poetry.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog and leaving a kind comment!
Great photos, and beautiful poem!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Visiting late from Sky Watch Friday.
ReplyDeletePlease come take a peek at my Sky Shots, have a great weekend!
Like your pictures!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the visit.
Have a great Sunday.
So beautiful Laura. Your daughter is so precious.
ReplyDeleteHeisann!
ReplyDeleteSo nice words from a mother's tongue to dearest daughters ;:OD)
So nice layout and illustrations ... love it...
Amazing series of shots and a thoughtful post.. Thank you for sharing on Weekly Top Shot #37!
ReplyDeleteGod bless your daughters and you! Your poem is a wonderful tribute to the love of life in the young.
ReplyDeleteVery nice pictures and world!
ReplyDeleteWish you a great summer!
so many blessings in this post. so happy for you :) and congratulations to your beautiful and accomplished graduate!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful series of beautiful shots.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your girls, your family, your summer.
your daughter is beautiful!
ReplyDelete(my sons are 16 + 13)
LOVE from this mama's heart to yours.
Beautiful pictures :)
ReplyDeletelaura, this is the most beautiful post EVER. To hear you are walking.
ReplyDeleteAnd I LOVE how you captured her looking sky-scraper ward, then showed us the view.
2 beautiful girls. Well, 3 -- including YOU, of course.
Happy return home to your wooded spot.
xoxo to the million billionth!!
Don't be sad that your daughter is leaving - it's a great opportunity for her to learn and experience new things in life.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful pictures and impressive blog you have! So fantastic!
ReplyDeletea big hello from Spain,
elena
It's such a painful time, it truly is. I remember. But change is good. You'll see. :)
ReplyDeleteYour daughters are beautiful!
Lovely shots. I like the flower, but I also really like the shots of the city looking up.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post! I'm so glad that you're enjoying your time with your family and that you are feeling well :)
ReplyDelete