I am always honored when friends think enough of the poems I send them to reply. I am amazed at the variety and range of responses, from the same poem. Here is one example of responses.
First Reply
ah indeed ... and my mother is coming to visit soon - so I will remind myself to surrender to her intentions and projections of painful childhoods and inabilities to be loved - ouch! I now surrender and let go -
Second Reply
I am so sorry that your Mom has not accepted your "retirement" as you thought she had. Her comment must have stung quite deeply. However, your writing indicates that you have an appreciation for the fact that she is looking through the eyes of her reality and genuinely wants the best for you - the way she perceives it would be. I imagine that it is very difficult to be shot down as you were. It must have hurt a lot. I would only encourage you to hang on to that "peace in your heart", and try (as difficult as it is) to remember that your situation is only important to her because she loves you. As long as you are at peace with that person you see in the mirror each day, you are on the right path.
Third Reply
This is a great piece Howard. The ability to take the words you heard and translate them into a way of taking you to a place of peace. That is amazing. I'm sure it would help a lot of people to realize that a lot of time parents are only worried about the safety and security of a child and they are expressing that in a way that they hope it will jump start them into living their life differently. Not trusting that there might be something they are not taking into consideration.
Comments
I am always honored when friends think enough of the poems I send them to reply. I am amazed at the variety and range of responses, from the same poem. Here is one example of responses.
First Reply
ah indeed ... and my mother is coming to visit soon - so I will remind myself to surrender to her intentions and projections of painful childhoods and inabilities to be loved - ouch! I now surrender and let go -
Second Reply
I am so sorry that your Mom has not accepted your "retirement" as you thought she had. Her comment must have stung quite deeply. However, your writing indicates that you have an appreciation for the fact that she is looking through the eyes of her reality and genuinely wants the best for you - the way she perceives it would be. I imagine that it is very difficult to be shot down as you were. It must have hurt a lot. I would only encourage you to hang on to that "peace in your heart", and try (as difficult as it is) to remember that your situation is only important to her because she loves you. As long as you are at peace with that person you see in the mirror each day, you are on the right path.
Third Reply
This is a great piece Howard. The ability to take the words you heard and translate them into a way of taking you to a place of peace. That is amazing. I'm sure it would help a lot of people to realize that a lot of time parents are only worried about the safety and security of a child and they are expressing that in a way that they hope it will jump start them into living their life differently. Not trusting that there might be something they are not taking into consideration.