parenting

Taking Flight – Graduation Day

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 6 Comments

As he walks away,

the unknown grows inside me,

a tightness inside my chest.

His graduation is a forced exhale and I

breathe in the flight to come.

It was an illusion that he was ever mine,

from the start. He never belonged to me.

I was always ever the warm nest

from which he would someday fly.

© Alicia Grimshaw

Dedicated to all of the parents of graduates.  Yes, part of your heart is stepping out into the world to touch the lives of others. Let it go. Part of it will stay with you forever. What a privilege to experience this amazing journey of expanding love. Congratulations.

 

 

 

 

Nurturing a Color

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 7 Comments

In fading light,

glowing colors blend

and it is impossible to tell

where one begins. So it is

with you and I. When did I begin on my own?

So many years you nurtured and cooked, rocked,

encouraged, and cared for me while fighting for yourself.

As we unblended and became our separate colors, lessons were learned.

What was said and what was left empty in the room for me to choose.

The boundary of where you stood, lines I sometimes crossed.

In the mirror of the years I am in awe of your effort.

You gave, at minimum, years of listening

with your whole face turned toward mine.

Intent on taking each word in

not letting a single one

escape your ear.

Mother’s Day 2016 – Dedicated to my mother and her commitment to keeping her colors vibrant while letting me find my own. 

© Ali Grimshaw 2016