As Mother counts her last days, and I open my heart to forgiveness, a daughter calls, reaming me out for wrong-doings – January is not cold enough to freeze tempers – family coals burn and shatter, and all we can pray for is metamorphosis. Soon, I will return to warmer temperatures, attempting to elude this frigid climate, save the scorching for the sun.
Hearts have seasons too –
I lumber through chilled air,
crave a touch of warmth.
(A haibun for dVerse, hosted by Kim tonight. I am also submitting this for Ragtag Community’s lumber, Fandango’s metamorphosis, and Manic Mondays 3 Way Prompt, shattered.)
Powerfully, beautifully and succinctly said – I was very moved!
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Thanks, Lynne!
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I’m diving in to the cycles you weave: generations, mothers and daughters, hot and cold, winter and summer, hurt and forgiveness. May the warmth come sooner than you expect.
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Thank you. Sure hoping so.
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Opening your heart to forgiveness can be like opening your heart to the warmth of the sun. As a daughter, reading this gave me pause and I called my mum today. Thank you for your beautiful words and insight.
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Aw, that is so nice. We forget to pause and treasure each other – yet, it’s so important.
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Truth!
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Hearts do have their own seasons. Perhaps February will start the melting down. Beautiful haiku, here, VJ.
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Thank you. Hoping for a thaw soon.
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An incredible haibun. It speaks to different levels of life. The heart having seasons….excellent! I am a daughter of a 98 year old woman who only shows a bit of forgetfulness….but she strikes like a viper. I had hoped that advanced age would gentle her, but it hasn’t. “January not cold enough to freeze tempers”. That will be tossing my brain for days.
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Oh, family! 98! Wow. Thanks for your kind words.
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Very effective the way winter mirrors your emotions in this piece. I especially love…. “January is not cold enough to freeze tempers” . Sometimes we just have to take care of ourselves…..to cope with the rest. Take care, V.J.
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You are so right, thank you, Mish.
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Brilliant.
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Thank you!
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Glad to hear your mother appreciates your presence…hope fully your daughter will too! NO, January is not cold enough to freeze tempers or melt hearts, unfortunately. Take care of yourself 🙂
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Thanks Lynn. Appreciate your kindness.
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The somber nature of this time of year can bring out the stress.
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It sure can.
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Families are strange. There does seem to be a lot of tense energies around at present. I had trouble with a daughter this week too. It leaves an unpleasant taste in the mouth. I like how you turn it around by dreaming of warmer climates and happier days.
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Seems to be ‘in the air’, I agree. Thanks Suzanne
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“save the scorching for the sun”… and the haiku is excellent . You say a LOT in a few words.
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Thank you
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A very heartfelt post. Yes, the heart has all four seasons. We all desire that touch of warmth! Well done!
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Thank you
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Sorry to hear about your mother but happy you are with her. When my mother was dying I was there and I believe though she couldn’t speak that she was glad. She was semi-conscious, not really responsive and I read to her, thinking my voice could bring comfort and I could keep myself engaged. Sorry about your daughter adding to the grief.
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Thank you Sarah. They say that hearing is the last to go – so comforting that you read to her. My mother has rallied – she is a force. Still, she is appreciative of my presence.
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Between ailing mother and disgruntled daughter is a dismal place to be. May the new year bring a lessening of stress with warmer climes, and blessed peace.
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Thank you, Beverly.
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One day, ironically, that daughter will be where you are. Let’s hope she, too, can open her heart with forgiveness . Important message with this one.
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Thanks, Glenn. I think you are right, as I have been in her shoes.
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Yes, hearts do have their season. Love that one’s heart is opening up to forgiveness and letting go despite the chilly reception. I hope this works for you: we can pray for is metamorphosis.
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Thanks Grace.
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Beautifully said. So sorry to know your daughter chose now to let loose. Children do that, no matter what the age. Never easy. Always hurtful. Perhaps they see a safe place, not knowing we need one too. Saying the goodbyes you have to say now…hard enough.
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Yes. She is going through her own stuff, I get it. When do mothers become people too, lol?
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That’s a question I ask myself on a regular basis too. I’m ever hopeful. If I ever find out, I’ll be sure to let you know. In the meantime, good luck.
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Thanks!
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I don’t know V.J. I went from expecting my mom to care for me to needing to care for her (time I cherished I might add). With my own daughters all is well now but I know there is much they could take issue with. I seem to have come into myself now that they are grown. Odd sort of progression isn’t it.
I’ve been away for a week or so but getting back and looking forward to catching up with your posts.
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Thanks LuAnne. It is funny how life goes – cyclical, I’d say.
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Good observation: “January is not cold enough to freeze tempers” Good reason to look for heat in other ways.
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Absolutely! thanks.
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I like the wordplay here: “Soon, I will return to warmer temperatures, attempting to elude this frigid climate, save the scorching for the sun.”
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Thanks!
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I’m going to be turning these lines over in my head all night “January is not cold enough to freeze tempers – family coals burn and shatter, and all we can pray for is metamorphosis”. Wonderfully written.
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Thanks, Carol!
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I agree with Jane about the personal detail and the contrast between the spiky sharp cold and cactus heat.It isn’t easy when your mother is counting her last days – I remember that well. The words that chime with me are ‘January is not cold enough to freeze tempers – family coals burn and shatter’. All of that emotion is condensed into your haiku – yes, hearts have seasons too. I’m sending hugs, V.J.
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Thanks so much Kim.
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well exposed seasons of the heart and the temperatures it can create, your haibun is excellent V.J
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Thank you, Gina.
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What a cold reunion… sometimes the coldest place is when we get together… and to be caught when you are most vulnerable has to be hard… hope you can warm up again.
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Thanks Björn. In the meantime, I bite my tongue, lol.
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I do like this one! The personal detail, the contrast between the spiky sharp cold and cactus heat, families are often not very restful places. Safe home 🙂
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No they are not! Thanks Jane.
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🙂
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Hearts do have their seasons. Sometimes though, one needs to close the heart up tight against angry daughters. Let her melt in peace.
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Thank you for that. She caught me at a vulnerable moment – something only loved ones seem to be able to do.
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Yes. I remember the last time I called and reamed my mother out, about 10 years ago. I remembered her age and her vulnerability and swore I would never do so again. And I didn’t.
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That speaks to your character. Good for you.
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Hearts do have seasons! Spring flowers will open for you, I’m sure!
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Thank you!
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