Mother’s Day Poem

Greetings to you all this fabulous day!

Firstly thanks so much to all of you for your lovely comments on my A to Z poems. It certainly was a challenge. And I was never so glad our alphabet has only 26 letters. That’s the first time I’ve tried an alphabetical writing challenge and it probably won’t be the last. I did struggle to come up with stories during the lockdown, as it seemed I had said all I had to say towards the end, so I got a little silly. Which is totally fine and sometimes important for me who can be very serious. Ha!

We are still in our lockdown on the coast but our new apartment which we are waiting to move into is edging ever so closer. We are almost at the final step! Settlement just around the corner. Of course we were supposed to hear before the weekend when that would be, but their computers crashed so now we wait once again! It seems there is always one more hurdle in this 21 month saga. You would think I had developed patience by now and wouldn’t keep needing more lessons. I’m trying, I’m trying!

Really it has been quite wonderful being here all together with Cris working from home and not having to commute back and forth to Canberra each week. Although finding quiet working space in this tiny place has been a challenge sometimes, especially for his Zoom meetings and radio interviews on cold and rainy days especially. He has been seen out there under our awning with a blanket wrapped around his legs and me dashing back and forth providing hot drinks!

The hardest part for the kids has been that we are not allowed to travel around the town for anything except essentials. The way the kids entertain themselves usually here is with excursions, setting themselves challenges or investigating things. We are allowed outside for exercise so some of these projects have been able to be combined with exercise. For example they both bought themselves cameras with zoom lenses. So they have been able to go for walks to test them out on the beach. Our backyard is basically a beach, which we are so thankful for. And they have the run of the caravan park which is huge. But driving to photograph the planes, for example, would not be acceptable.
So we are now earmarking ideas to do next time we come down.

I have found being without my sewing machine difficult, and craft supplies. We have had a double upheaval by being locked down in a temporary living situation. It’s been harder without all our normal activities and limited wifi. But of course we are very comfortable and grateful to be together.

Our camper van has been a godsend as it has provided another living space for one person to escape to  during the day, and for Miles to sleep in at night (usually he sleeps on the fold out lounge in the living room). We parked it opposite the front door adjacent to the deck, so it is even almost under cover. Cris thought up that genius idea of course!

Our apartment will be only slightly bigger than this little portable dwelling, so this has been a great little exercise to see how we can go long term in a tiny space. Apart from Cris’ working space, we have done surprisingly well. So this bodes well for our move. Phew!

Alright will leave it there for now. Here is a poem I wrote for mothers.

Mother’s Day

I struggled with this concept

For many years

As the Drs had told us

"It's unlikely you will have kids"

So as each year rolled around

I fretted and hid

And felt sad

Now after ten years

Of trying the first time

And two weeks the next - what?!

We are the proud parents

Of two teenage boys

Turns out Drs are not infallible

But I still struggled

Because every year it seemed

I was being tested on my mothering

As invariably one or the other

Or both our kids would fall sick

Not the picture perfect day I had planned!

So here’s to those who mother

Whether your own or another's

We rock!

What a privilege

To be able to raise another person

Teaching and nurturing them

Into the world

Loving and being loved

So deeply in return

I don't need to tense

As this day approaches

Wondering what it will bring

Because for a Mother

Every day is Mother's Day

Smothered in hugs and kisses

And tears and snot

Full of tasks and laundry

And another endless meal

Seeing happy faces smiling towards us

And grumpy ones stomping away

Feeling our hearts burst as we turn a corner

And sometimes crying at our wit's end

Knowing this is the hardest

And most rewarding job

And we wouldn't have it

Any other way

10/5/20

Til next time,

Keep on creating!

Love,

Jazzy Jack

PS Photo by Aiden