Friday, January 11, 2013

I Thought That I Understood Life


For this weekend's challenge, Trifextra has asked us to write a 33-word story about a new beginning.    Like the TV commercial once said, "I always put myself first and then, in a heartbeat, I was second."



I Thought That I Understood Life


My tendency
toward self-absorption,
                                    narcissism
                                                     and petty flights of fancy

hidden beneath a veneer of gentlemanly stoicism

until.......they were laid bare by a doctor's simple pronouncement:


                                                                                "Congratulations! Your daughter is beautiful."



This is my favourite photo of the thousands we seem to have of my daughter Leah. She is approx. 15 minutes old in this picture. She is being held by my Mother-in-Law. I adore this photo because of the look of Love that is pouring out of Gramma toward her first grandchild.  My daughter is so incredibly lucky to be growing up in a world where she is surrounded by love.

To Begin Anew, with Joy!

Her shift over.
Burdens unbound.
Home......
                Jersey Boys on Ten,
                    hot cup of tea
                        in the sunshine,
                              toes uncurled.

A visit,
Her daughter
With an invitation,

Joyously received,

the chance
to mother anew.

21 comments:

  1. Those words can change everything!

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  2. They certainly do change a person, don't they? Talk about new beginnings, for everyone. Great job with the prompt!

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  3. A child is a new (sometimes scary) beginning! Great photo, too.

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  4. Aww,Leah looks so adorable!I can understand this-like every parent-it's definitely a new beginning & that makes three of us treading the same path,as of now:-)Loved the photo & the beautiful lines at the end touched me.I have just come half way through the posts-have to go out & will be back later to read the remaining-wonder who else has journeyed on this road of parenthood,this time:-)

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  5. This is beautiful. You brought back wonderful memories.

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  6. And it all comes crumbling down at the sight of a wrinkly pink face and curious eyes <3 This is so cute.

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  7. Fantastic! I love this Tom - very well written!

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  8. Awwww! Great picture to go with an amazing moment. Kids...the gift that keeps on giving or keeps you giving. Can't always recall which ;-) Life changing. And wouldn't trade it for the world even when...

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  9. Cute. Leah is very lucky to be surrounded by so much love. I don't believe any flight of fancy is 'petty.' Flights of fancy take us somewhere as yet unknown. Worth every minute. Yours took you to your 33 lovely words.

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  10. nothing better than the love of a gramma. (just sayin') :)

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  11. Awww, so touching! The photo is precious too.

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  12. Thanks, everyone, for stopping by and sharing our special moment. Gramma and I appreciate all of your kind words.

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  13. My mom always told me that kids change everything and was she ever right. My life then and my life at the moment are like night and day.

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  14. I loved your process after reading your comments on Trifecta. Both are lovely, filled with admiration for those who give birth, and pride for your lovely daughter. A loving family... that's the secret to life. Mine is about the same subject. Peace, Amy
    http://sharplittlepencil.com/2013/01/13/the-journey-trifecta/

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  15. Oh, it has been a long, long time since mine were that little, but the look on Gramma's face is the same today as it was then. Except she now has to look up at him instead of down ;-)

    Don't let your petty flights of fancy go too far. You'll need those wings again one day, when your babies start to spread their own.

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  16. Beautiful! My daughters are 10 and 7 but I can still remember those words and seeing them. I can also remember my self absorbency. This is touching!

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  17. Perhaps those are the best words one can ever get to hear :-)

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    Replies
    1. They were for me, that's for sure. I am a lucky man. Thanks for stopping by to read this after all this time. ")

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  18. Great use of the pompt Tom! I'm right there with ya.

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