It's Poetry Friday, and Carol Varsalona is hosting HERE at Beyond Literacy Link. Earlier in the month, Carol gave us a challenge. When we read all these HeartNotes, I think we'll feel as if we're receiving hug after hug after hug! Thank you for hosting, Carol!
💖 I'm hosting next week on Valentine's Day, hoping you might enjoy sharing a favorite love poem, really anything about love in your life.
HeartNotes
Here's what Carol wrote:
"I invite all to create a love note, valentine, poem, digital artwork, etc.
I will create a padlet, titled HeartNotes for interested writers. Join me as I honor Valentine's Day, a love-note to the rest of the year.
(Jo Lightfoot)"
And here's mine! In September, my husband will have been gone for twelve years. He is always in my heart. I'm going to share something silly, but for those who have said goodbye to loved ones, I imagine you will have a story like this, too. I miss him on birthdays, in Christmas traditions, and in other little things in countless ways. He always, always unloaded the dishwasher! Te he, a minor habit in our lives, but whenever I now unload it, I miss him, and I remember other things he did, for me, for us!
Love does not stop blooming,
sprinkled with tender care.
Even on the daylong days,
Now, without you there.
Linda Baie ©
More love came in my mailbox these recent days – beautiful postcards from Margaret Simon, Molly Hogan, Mary Lee Hahn, Mona Voelkel, Joyce Uglow, Jone Rush Macculloch, Robyn Hood Black, Gail Aldous, Tabatha Yeatts Lonske, and Tricia Stohr-Hunt. Thank you!
Linda, what a poignant post. I love that you continue to share the love of your husband in your heart and here with us too. The story about emptying the dishwasher is precious. This line makes me sad: "Now, without you there", but "love does not stop blooming." Perfect!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denise, It feels good to write a love note to my husband, to remember so many great times together, even in the kitchen!
DeleteOh Linda, the dishwasher! How can it be 12 years? Love does not stop blooming is simply perfect. xo
ReplyDeleteOh, not silly or minor in any way at all. It's the daily things, and it was a sign of his love — so beautiful and touching, Linda. xo
ReplyDeleteYes, it is surprising things that show love, isn't it, like unloading the dishwasher. The little things that remind us or we miss. Love is still in bloom-- so sweet, Linda.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Irene, Karen, & Tabatha, I appreciate your hugs of comments, and know you know about those 'little things', too!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem and flowers! Love the sentiment that love never stops blooming. So true! And as you say, the little things mean a lot and are often the most memorable. Also can't believe it's been 12 years. Extra hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Linda! And what lovely penmanship you have, too.
ReplyDeleteLinda, thank you for sharing such a tender and personal poem. My husband has been ill and I think of the future sometimes and know I will miss him emptying mine as well. So glad we have our writing to express these universal feelings. May these memories bring you great comfort.
ReplyDeleteDear Linda, your lovely tribute to your your hubby's love, beautifully wraps me into how we live day by day by day in small moments, with small gestures, that are exquisite if we understand them as gifts, which you do . Thank you for your kindness in sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Jama, Susan, Jan, and whomever is anonymous! Your words bring goodness to my day!
ReplyDeleteOhhh Linda... your heartfelt poem is beautiful, and it rings so true to me. Thank you for writing and sharing it.
ReplyDelete"Love does not stop blooming"--such a beautiful truth! And that phrase "even on the daylong days" has really stuck with me. Thanks for sharing this lovely, poignant love note.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sarah & Molly! I imagine each of you know about love blooming, too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful memory--unloading the dishwasher. A simple thing that makes everyday life a little bit easier.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have stories like this too. And, I have several elderly people in my life that I want to tend for decades longer because I'm not ready for them to let them be merely memories. I sent out my Valentines this week. I hope sometime between now and next Friday when you are doing your dishes you feel the love of poetry friends too.
ReplyDelete"the daylong days" - beautiful. Thanks for sharing such a lovely personal memory, Linda.
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice thing to read your comments when our world gets quite shaky! Thank you!
ReplyDelete"Love does not stop blooming"
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful, Linda. I admire you for continuing to celebrate your love. This doesn't feel silly at all. Love is in recalling details like this. Take good care!
Ah, Linda, thanks for sharing your heart with us. That rings so true, that it's the tiny things that hold so many memories in them. Sending love to you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carmela & Laura!
ReplyDeleteHow meaningful those everyday routines become when our loved ones are gone. Hugs to you, Linda.
ReplyDeleteYour poem is a great reminder to appreciate those who are still with us! I will hug my dish-washing, gutter-cleaning, litter-box-changing, bird-feeding love!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Catherine and Mary Lee, it is in the 'everyday routines', as the list (maybe never-ending) shows. As in the song, "little things mean a lot"!
ReplyDeleteOh, I feel this deeply! My father has been gone 7 years now, and it's the most random little moments that make me think of him. He was an avid stamp collector, and sometimes when a letter comes in the mail with an interesting stamp, I'll think about cutting it out and giving it to him, before remembering of course that he's gone. Our loved ones are never truly out of our thoughts and hearts. <3
ReplyDeleteLinda, thank you for mentioning my Heartnotes padlet that is growing. soon you will receive my blog with recognition to all those who added poetic goodness, including you. Thanks you for always supporting poetry.
ReplyDelete