Timeless Love

I'm having fun expanding my writing style and topics. Here is my latest up at Elephant Journal!

Amour Intemporelle (Timeless Love)

I always appreciate you commenting on the post and, of course, sharing the link with your friends and on social media.

ALSO...

If you look up at the top of this blog you'll see a new page heading: I Also Write For... . If you click there you'll find links to all my other writing sites. 

2am phone calls

Gifts: #reverb13 Day 2

What was the most cherished gift you received this year? What was the best gift you gave?

 The best gift I received this year is the gift of love. 

After a year of being told I am no longer loved and no longer feeling lovable, my heart was in pieces. Shattered to the point I didn't believe it could ever be healed.

Although I still keep my heart closely guarded, those around me gave me the gift of their love this year in so many ways:

• Friends who held me while I cried and wiped my tears. 
• New coworkers who have become friends and an extended family. The kind that made sure I wasn't alone on Valentines Day, became caretakers to my kids and encouraged me to create a new life.
• My children who were strong when I was weak and who stood by my side. My older children have stepped up to help me parent and my younger kids even gave me a card on Fathers Day. 

I spent too much of my adult life questioning how someone can say they love me but not show their love to me in a healthy way. I don't want to question that ever again and I certainly don't want anyone to ever question how I feel about them. I always tell those I love " I love you".

I don't have much to give as gifts. But if I say I love you to you I mean it. They aren't just words to me. It is my gift to you. 

This post is part of #reverb13, a series of daily writing prompts to explore the year passed and manifest the year ahead. I'm following the prompts found on Elephant Journal. 

Longing (Poem)

My latest Elephant Journal post. It's quite different than what I usually write. 

It's special to me and I'm proud of it.

I wasn't sure what to expect when it was published, but I've gotten some beautiful emails from people who have read it, felt it, lived it and understand love and longing.

Longing (Poem)

Please click the link, comment and share the post if you also enjoy reading it. 

You can also read my other posts on Elephant Journal here or by clicking the page tab up top titled Elephant Journal.

A Mother's Day Letter To My Sons

Dear boys --

Today is my first official Mother's Day as a single mom. As Mother's Days goes it was no different than any other in the past. I made dinner, cleaned up from dinner, did laundry and cleaned bathrooms. I'm not complaining, really I'm not. I'm grateful I get the privilege of being your mom and there is no way I'd ever walk away from being your parent. I love you too much to ever leave you.

As teen boys go, you were pretty cool today. You willingly hugged me, surprised me with gifts and sent me Happy Mothers Day text messages.

But I want to tell you something. Please don't roll your eyes at me. Trust me, you will appreciate this advice in the future. There are a few things you should remember when one day - a long time from now - you have a wife and mother of your children.

• Never, I repeat never, say to your wife "You aren't my mother, I don't have to buy you a present." That's just offensive and disrespectful. It's not funny. 
• Say thank you on other days besides Mothers Day. If your wife is fortunate enough to be a stay at home mom, she doesn't have it easy. She spends her entire day taking care of everyone else at the expense of her own self.  
• Don't volunteer your wife to babysit other peoples kids. If she wants to take on that additional responsibility she will offer. 
• Speaking of babysitting, please don't think you are doing your wife a favor by babysitting your own children. No, it's not babysitting. It's called raising your children and being an active, involved parent. It is what I expect of you and what she needs of you.
• It's not about a big present. A hand written note from your heart is all it takes.
• Your children will mimic you. If you treat your wife with respect and love, your children will too.
• When things get difficult between you two, and they will, step back and look what you've created. The minute that baby is born it is no longer about just you two. You have created something bigger. 
• Your wife may not always be your wife, but she will always be the mother of your children. 

Remember the love and care you have shown to me this past year, and you are going to be a great husband and father one day.