When you reach for my hand,
I pull it away.
I shrug my shoulders,
when you ask about my day.
I refuse your hugs
when my friends might see,
and I won’t let you walk
too close to me.
But no matter where I am,
or how tall I grow,
I will always love you—
Even though
I don’t let it show.
I don’t let it show.
-Linda Kulp Trout
I hadn't planned to post anything today, but something has been on my mind. A couple of weeks ago, while crossing a parking lot, I reached for my seven year old grandson's hand. For the first time, he pushed my hand away. A clear sign he's becoming more independent.
It brought back memories of my own sons. I still remember standing outside my son's first grade classroom. I reached to hug him, and he pulled away. I tried to hide the sting in my heart as he walked through the door.
Watching my sons grow up was bittersweet. I was proud of their independence, and yet, it was so hard to let them go. My sons are grown, and although I miss my little boys, I love the men they have become. And I've come to realize that they have never really let go. They just hold on in a different way now.
My grandchildren are becoming more and more independent. I know how hard this is for my daughter-in-law so this poem is for her.
Be sure to visit Liz at Elizabeth Steinglass for this week's Roundup.
This is completely relatable, Linda! Thanks for sharing, and Happy Mom's Day!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Matt!
DeleteLovely and true "bittersweet" poem of growth and change Linda. Thanks and Happy Mother's Day!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michelle! Happy Mother's Day to you too!
DeleteYes, this is bittersweet, Linda. You've captured this moment every parnt has to face so well. This is a lovely gift for your dauther-in-law.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kim. Happy Mother's Day!
DeleteYou've captured a universal but oh-so-personal turning point, Linda - thanks for sharing, and Happy Mother's Day!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Robyn. Happy Mother's Day!
DeleteAwww... I have been through this with my boys... definitely bittersweet. Thank you for sharing and happy Mother's Day! xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Irene. Happy Mother's Day!
DeleteThis poem is so true to how kids grow. We have to remember that the rejection is part of healthy growth, but it still hurts.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Margaret. Happy Mother's Day!
DeleteI know the growing up, Linda, & this month my grandson is graduating. Time goes & goes, doesn't it? Lovely bittersweet poem. Happy Mother's Day to you & your family.
ReplyDeleteThey grow up much too fast! Happy Mother's Day, Linda. xo
ReplyDeleteYes, so bittersweet -- I like how you ended the poem with love and reassurance. Happy Mother's Day!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jama. Happy Mother's Day!
DeleteThank you for sharing your poem. My 9yo daughter has really started becoming independent this year, and it has been tough to accept at times.
ReplyDeleteThat's the same age as my granddaughter. I've noticed her becoming more independent too. Happy Mother's Day!
DeleteYes, exactly, Linda. When my son went off to college last fall, I wonder if it was harder on him or on me. Letting go is so hard!
ReplyDeleteYes, it is, Michelle. It is so hard. Happy Mother's Day!
DeleteThe truth in this stings. My 15 year old pushes and pushes...but he holds on in different ways. Please hug your daughter in law for me. It's like this the whole way through with changes and growth, changes and growth. Happy Mother's Day.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. Happy Mother's Day!
ReplyDeleteMy sons are now grown up men with children of their own. I too burst with pride for who they have become. I love the last line in your poem. It holds so much truth.
ReplyDeleteI've come to realize that they have never really let go. They just hold on in a different way now.
Linda, Happy Mother's Day and thanks for sharing your bittersweet poem. My little granddaughter is almost two now and she has a mind of her own. While on Google Hangout the other day, my daughter asked her to say hello to Grandma and she said, "No". We all laughed! When we go back to NY from VA I miss her so much but a little face on a device must be strange to her. Or Maybe she is being independent.
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely perfect! What a lovely gift for your daughter-in-law. Though universal and as it should be, it's still bittersweet every single time.
ReplyDeleteI love this poem--it captures the push and pull of hanging on and letting go that is parenting. Happy Mother's Day!
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely and even more so because you wrote it for your daughter -in-law.
ReplyDeleteBittersweet, indeed. I regret all the times I pulled away from my Mom. There is not enough time left in our lifetimes to repair those hurts.
ReplyDeleteI'm stopping by late to read this poem, Linda. It brings back memories of my daughter's early teens.
ReplyDelete