The walls bare,
waiting like a canvas to be painted
with your colors.
Missing pieces to a chest of drawers,
waiting for the internet connection,
sleeping on the air mattress on the floor.
Small details you share
in our conversation on the phone.
Your voice tired,
your voice eager,
building furniture for your new life.
"My girl and I are moving",
I heard you say and I smiled,
because it sounded so sweet to me.
One thousand four hundred and seventy five miles away,
bittersweet to watch you go,
holding my breath in anticipation.
Decorate your home with laughter you share,
fill your home with the love you make,
moments that build your life.
Inspire one another and find sanctuary in each others arms.
This is dedicated to my son Josh and his girlfriend Irina. They moved to a new city to start their residency. This past week they have been busy building furniture, getting their home ready for their new life and journey. They had little challenges that they encountered which they tried to tackle before they begin their work in the hospital. We wish them good luck and we are so proud of all they have accomplished to get to this point. I've been posting about both my boys in the last few weeks since I've been consumed with all the changes in our life. Please meet us here, http://dversepoets.com/ where we share our thoughts and our hearts.
oh wow...what a busy time and so filled with expectation...and hard for you too as you watch them take those steps out of the nest...dont worry mom the birds always come home...smiles...
ReplyDeleteThe birds do come home...I just wish them happiness on their journey. :)
DeleteOh, ayala, how proud you must be. And, on the flip side, how much you will miss them. But hearts can reach so easily even over one thousand four hundred and seventy-five miles. :)
ReplyDeleteSo true...hearts can reach no matter how far. xo.
Deleteoh my...i'm crying now. sweet, happy, mom tears...that come from pride and love and loss...dreams realized, lives and hearts growing and changing. These are thick, rich, marvelous moments - it's such a joy to have your words which capture these times so poignantly! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Adrienne. You are so sweet. Hugs to you. xo
DeleteWOW... life gives us gifts that hurt deeply...You've captured this moment beautifully, Ayala!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dulce :)
DeleteA beautiful, mother's-heart-filled tribute to your son and his girl. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denise :)
DeleteA mother's love is written all over this poem. That's what makes it precious.
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly.
DeleteWhat a gift this poem is to them.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kim.
DeleteThis is lovely, Ayala...it's obvious that you're really proud of them as they look to their future. Wonderful :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Louise. I am so proud :)
DeleteSo far away, I hear your mother's anxiety and yet, your mother's wisdom in knowing when it's time to let go those apron strings and let them fly. You know he/they are only a heartbeat away.
ReplyDeleteSo gentle, so loving, so generous. Beautiful.
Thank you, Bren. I will miss them....
DeleteAlways so heartwarming to share your family snippets...I wish you, your son, and Irina all the happiness. Moving to a new city is a biggie...and exciting. Warm wishes to all.!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jackie. I appreciate your warm wishes.
DeleteI hope it is a smooth transition for all of you. Our children growing is never easy and each steps is a learning experience. Thank you for sharing. Lovely :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jess :)
DeleteI really enjoy seeing these snapshots into your life...your pride...those feelings you present seeing your son grow up and finding his place in the world.... you do it with such honesty, such warmth...and that what makes this so great to read.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stu. I am glad you enjoyed it! :)
DeleteWow some academically skilled kids! All the best!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ollie :)
DeleteHow wonderful that you share your life and love with us and them, how fortunate they are :).
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly, Anna :)
DeleteAdds such a personal touch that is warming to embrace and read, beautifully written love! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Poppy :)
DeleteBest wishes!
ReplyDeleteAloha from Waikiki,
Comfort Spiral
> < } } ( ° >
Thank you, Cloudia :)
Deletethis spoke to me, as I waved off my older children as they embarked on their new lives - excited for them of course and wish them well but there is a pang of another leaving the nest, another baby grown. My eldest son (baby)(also 40 this year) has just become a professor and that is brilliant what he has achieved but I do think to when he was a baby first born all those years ago but seems like yesterday. Adding my best wishes Ayala as they embark on their exciting future together - Lib
ReplyDeleteLib, it does seem like yesterday, doesn't it? Life is flying by. Thank you so much for your good wishes and good luck to your son. :)
DeleteExciting times that leave an empty nest. I'm sending joy in bundles to you..I had two boys who left--they gave back grandchildren who are wonderful; yet it is never quite the same. Keep writing it opens a new window in your soul! Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gay. I will love some grandchildren one day ;) and I appreciate the bundles of joy :)
DeleteOh, I am so in this place right now, my son moved in with his girlfriend two weeks ago... not so very far away, only 35 miles, but life changes, shifts, we adjust, again and again.
ReplyDeleteGreat capture of those feelings...
Thank you, Kelly. We are happy for them yet sad at the same time...
DeleteWonderful write! I wish them success and happiness!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Charles :)
DeleteMy daughter and her boyfriend will be leaving soon to go back-packing in southeast asia--your piece reminded me how much I will miss her
ReplyDeleteHow exciting, I wish them safe and amazing travels :)
DeleteThose moments when they leave us are times of great change, both for us parents, and for the children ~ And not worry, because they will always find their way home ~
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the post and wish them well in their new journey ~
Thank you, Grace. :) It will be so wonderful when they visit or when we go to them :)
Delete"Decorate your home with laughter you share, fill your home with the love you make, moments that build your life. Inspire one another and find sanctuary in each others arms." Great advice. Your son will do well with such a wise mother.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Alex. Sweet of you to say :)
DeleteThis was one of the strongest poems by you I've seen. Gentle, loving poetry as always.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Matt. :) I appreciate it.
DeleteSo true to life, ayala, with all our hopes and dreams and of course, missing the one who's gone on even as you cheer him.I agree with Matt above--a gentle, loving mother's poem.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joy :)
DeleteA heartfelt poem and I really like the line decorate your home with laughter.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Truedessa :)
DeleteI share your joy! Josh is plain lucky. At the end of all the slogging mentally he's now having two wonderful people to support him. You're a gem, ayala! Best of everything for the future,Josh!
ReplyDeleteHank
Thank you, Hank. You are so kind. I appreciate your sweet words.
DeleteMakes me want to call my sons. I like building furniture for your new life as a metaphor ...or not.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Colleen :)
DeleteSounds like quite the life they are building too, and proud you should be.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pat :)
DeleteSuch a difficult time for a parent. You are fortunate that you get the details in the phone calls, not the obligatory "everything is great." Love the vulnerability here.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Beth :)
DeleteOne thousand four hundred and seventy five miles away...wow..that's far... but seems he's doing well... thanks for sharing a bit of their and your journey ayala.. wishing him all the best for his new start.. way to go..smiles
ReplyDeleteThank you, Claudia :)
DeleteBuilding furniture is such a perfect metaphor here... so happy for the proud mamma!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Laurie :)
DeleteJust lovely. Wishing them {and you} the best of luck.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ami :)
DeleteYou are such a mom! Love this, especially how much you have given of yourself to your child and how it shines through each word, as though we were looking into your heart itself.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Charles :) I'm glad you got to see into my heart.
DeleteWonderful, the connection you have with them though they are so far away. This is a really strong write, Ayala.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Chris :)
DeleteBeautiful, Ayala. A mother's love for her family will carry on no matter what, and this lovely piece shows that - I adore it! ♥
ReplyDelete:)
Thank you, Brad :)
DeleteIt's crazy to think that one day my little boy will be all grown up like this. How does it happen?! One inch at a time, I suppose...
ReplyDeleteIt happens in a blink of an eye :(
DeleteThank you, Ganesh :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck to them and you! Everyone looks very happy. Terrific and lovely loving poem. k.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karin. I appreciate it. :)
DeleteAnother lovely poem Ayla, I get a sense of how you feel, my daughter and her boyfriend have just bought their first home. I felt so proud and quietly happy that things would be all right! And my daughter finally felt like it was official she was all grown up. Now tears are welling... It's great isn't it to know that things have worked out! Thank you Ayla :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your daughter and her boyfriend...I hope they are very happy in their new home. I wish you the best and hugs ...
DeleteA very beautiful heartfelt poem. At 7 and 5 mine are growing up too fast. I can't imagine the day they leave the house. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shawn...so hard to let them go...
Deletebeautiful proud parent. you are so blessed. so is your son and his girl.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ed :)
DeleteOh, how wonderful for them and maybe a little bittersweet for you? They just grow up sooo fast! Congratulations to you Alaya, wonderful mom, and to them.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary :)
DeleteSo happy for you and your family Ayala. I hear the bittersweet voice in your words. So touching. Much luck to all of you as he starts this journey.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rudri. I am holding my breath as they begin this journey.
Delete