So often when I am stuck in a situation that I know is stressful or disappointing for my children they surprise me with their empathy and their perceptiveness-- they can see when my hands are tied and the situation is beyond my control.
This poem resonates with me because my mom was an army brat, growing up all over the United States. But as an adult she settled. I only lived in two houses, only a couple of miles apart, until I went away to college. But I now live on the other side of the country from my parents and siblings.
Aww thanks Melanie! So lovely that the lines of this poem resonated with you. So wonderful when we see the constraints and sacrifices our parents dealt with like we do wrt our kids.
It’s always such a lift to hear of such resonance so THANK YOU for stopping by to tell me. 🙏
Beautiful. We are putting our children through that experience, because we like it. I think one of them enjoys it more than the other. We hope and trust we do good with it, giving them something not many children get. But then again, it also takes some away from them. I liked the part at the wend, when you say "I thrive on variety while cherishing the solidity of family."
Thanks Arjan! I’m sure your kids will do great and make some amazing memories. I think stability and steady love at home matters a lot and is formative. Looking back I see both sides of it - and parents didn’t have a choice - but if I had to choose now, I’d choose that life all over again…
Reporting back. My daughter loved the poem and said she never felt displaced. She remembered in second grade thinking it was cool that some people had friends for as long as they could remember but as an adult she sees how old friends have fallen away while new ones replace them.
Your poem prompted a lovely discussion with my daughter. Thank you. My son is not great with emails and texts. Still haven’t heard back. Sigh.
Aww 🥰 thanks for checking and sharing with me. That’s so lovely! And glad to have prompted this mother daughter exchange. Made me miss my mom. I wonder what she’d have said to my poem. ❤️
So beautifully written, Reena. I could feel the young girl’s trepidation and yearning. I haven’t moved as many times, but I can resonate with the un-belonging. It makes me think of how sometimes we don’t belong even when we are not among strangers.
Thank you so much Priya. That's so very true. I read once we're lonely not because we're alone but more so if/because we're with people who make us feel alone.
Can relate to the ‘Nomadic Childhood’ - so much learnt and assimilated from different cultures, languages and lifestyles. Would not trade it for anything. But enjoying the current ‘settled lifestyle’ thoroughly as well.
Thanks Manbir! So true what you say. Yes it came with so much packed in and we learned so much from it. I would not trade it either. It has made me realize why I seek new experiences and why I'm perpetually curious about people from very different backgrounds...
"Those who primed
such journeys
couldn’t; for I looked
behind their backs
at their tied hands."
So often when I am stuck in a situation that I know is stressful or disappointing for my children they surprise me with their empathy and their perceptiveness-- they can see when my hands are tied and the situation is beyond my control.
This poem resonates with me because my mom was an army brat, growing up all over the United States. But as an adult she settled. I only lived in two houses, only a couple of miles apart, until I went away to college. But I now live on the other side of the country from my parents and siblings.
Aww thanks Melanie! So lovely that the lines of this poem resonated with you. So wonderful when we see the constraints and sacrifices our parents dealt with like we do wrt our kids.
It’s always such a lift to hear of such resonance so THANK YOU for stopping by to tell me. 🙏
Beautiful. We are putting our children through that experience, because we like it. I think one of them enjoys it more than the other. We hope and trust we do good with it, giving them something not many children get. But then again, it also takes some away from them. I liked the part at the wend, when you say "I thrive on variety while cherishing the solidity of family."
And I loved the poem.
Thanks Arjan! I’m sure your kids will do great and make some amazing memories. I think stability and steady love at home matters a lot and is formative. Looking back I see both sides of it - and parents didn’t have a choice - but if I had to choose now, I’d choose that life all over again…
Thanks so much for your reading.
So beautifully and aptly described- our journeys of childhood. Our nomadic lifestyle which gave us so much and sometimes even took away.
Thanks so much Tina. Glad you liked it. We must talk about it ❤️❤️❤️
Beautifully portrayed !!May resonate with many who lived that nomadic life!!
Thanks so much for reading! I hope so. 🙏
Beautiful. Will send to my adult kids. We had to move a lot because of hubby’s career.
Thank you for the Hanukkah wishes. (Spelling is a free for all. Hehe.)
Merry Christmas. 🎄
Thanks dear Carissa! Aww I’d love to hear what they think.
Reporting back. My daughter loved the poem and said she never felt displaced. She remembered in second grade thinking it was cool that some people had friends for as long as they could remember but as an adult she sees how old friends have fallen away while new ones replace them.
Your poem prompted a lovely discussion with my daughter. Thank you. My son is not great with emails and texts. Still haven’t heard back. Sigh.
Aww 🥰 thanks for checking and sharing with me. That’s so lovely! And glad to have prompted this mother daughter exchange. Made me miss my mom. I wonder what she’d have said to my poem. ❤️
Your journey, beautiful expressed.
Thanks so much Tim. Appreciate it.
'फ़ैज़' थी राह सर-ब-सर मंज़िल
हम जहाँ पहुँचे कामयाब आए
Beautiful!! Thanks Harish!
Lovely
Many thanks Harish. That means a lot.
Great poem that examines and highlights the tensions of transition.
Thanks so much Stanley! 🙏
So beautifully written, Reena. I could feel the young girl’s trepidation and yearning. I haven’t moved as many times, but I can resonate with the un-belonging. It makes me think of how sometimes we don’t belong even when we are not among strangers.
Thank you so much Priya. That's so very true. I read once we're lonely not because we're alone but more so if/because we're with people who make us feel alone.
Well written. It sounds pretty daunting....especially for a kid.
Thank you Raveen. It was both - a daunting and privileged life. Appreciate your words.
Can relate to the ‘Nomadic Childhood’ - so much learnt and assimilated from different cultures, languages and lifestyles. Would not trade it for anything. But enjoying the current ‘settled lifestyle’ thoroughly as well.
Thanks Manbir! So true what you say. Yes it came with so much packed in and we learned so much from it. I would not trade it either. It has made me realize why I seek new experiences and why I'm perpetually curious about people from very different backgrounds...
Thank you Nadia. So glad it resonated.