Family History, Musings, Poetry

Life’s Greatest Gift

Suzanne 
Her unrivaled present, by far, in life.  
Nothing possibly could upstage it.  
It wasn't wrapped.  
There was none of the frippery. 
 
This one had been drip-fed caringly 
and generously from birth. 
This gift was intangible.  
One woman's loving contribution.  
 
What a privilege, what an honour. 
Giving of time, 
was one of her greatest gifts. 
A slice of life we'll never get back. 

Her benefactors bereaved 
No words needed. 
They'd lost their creator and life supporter.
 Her giving was done; her allocation of time was over.

Cover image:  It has some significance, and I’ve used it in a fun way to represent us, Mum and her five children.

Unknown's avatar

Published by Suzanne

I'm a lover of creativity and movement, expressed through photography, words, travel and sports. . . . . . .

15 thoughts on “Life’s Greatest Gift”

    1. Thanks very much, Anabel. It was sitting in my draft folder, and I thought, what the heck, I’ll put it out there. Ironically, Mum used to love heading down to an area near where she and Dad lived and watching the ducklings and doing a head count.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  3. Oh Suzanne, I love this and totally relate. My camera roll is currently fully of duck families. In the lake I swim in I’ve watched a family each morning head out into the water. And on a walk this weekend I took some video of a very proud mum and dad with their family of ducklings hop into the canal for a swimming lesson. It reminded me of how proud I was to have so many little ducklings walking with me. What a sweet post.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. I love this, Suzanne. I noticed your comment to Derrick. You imagined that on some days ‘Mum would’ve enjoyed a lower number of children’.
    I also had five children, all of whom were planned, but unlike me, I suspect your mum didn’t set out to have five of you.

    Each one of mine brought something different to the family, and I feel blessed to have enjoyed each moment of their childhood. Now they’re all grown up, and I get to enjoy my twelve grandchildren.
    I’m sure your mum looked back on her children’s childhood, thinking that she wouldn’t have changed a thing either. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks very much, happy you enjoyed it and reminiscing of your own journey as a mother. I was generalising, referring to those times when chaos reigned, and every Mum wished for peace and a wistful wish for less noise, or perhaps fewer children, depending on how tired she was. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  8. The gift of life. Sometimes, in the living of it, it doesn’t seem such a great gift, Suzanne. But no mum wants to hear this and this is a lovely tribute to her and her ‘brood’ xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Add to the conversation