There is a picture circulating
of a little girl in an Iraqi orphanage,
who misses her mother,
so she drew a chalk outline of her mom,
curled up within the lines
and fell asleep
inside her mother.
This stopped me cold.
I don’t ever want to be too tired
to tell a bedtime story again,
for as long as I live,
for as long as my sons want
kisses and songs and stories.
These moments of snuggle and calm
are too precious, too much of a structure
to build upon – a life of knowing
where we stand – Right here
within the beat of our mama’s heart.
15 Comments
Such a sad moving story and picture – your words show us how important it is to give our love.
Anna :o]
You make me cry with this story.. the picture and that one together… so well penned.
This is a heart-wrenching picture and I think your poem complements it beautifully! Bed time stories are very special moments for both kids and parents.
A great piece and that moment when you hug your kids is precious. Love is never without reward,
you know that picture…tears… think that is the most moving photo i ever saw… and yes… it is a good reminder to give what we have for as long as we have the possibility
‘For as long as my sons want kisses and songs and stories’ – mine are getting to that age when they don’t any more and I miss it more than I would ever have thought possible in those early years when I was so tired and fed up with the same story over and over again.
Very poignant picture and such a heartfelt cry you share with us – thank you.
a good reminder to hug my sons ~
I long for the bedtime stories I never told. This was very nicely said.
What a moving write! The picture is sooooo sad. I cannot imagine how this little girl must feel inside. I agree about the telling of bedtime stories. As long as children want to hear them, they should be told. So many children, such as the little Iraqi girl, will not hear them ever!
Whoa… that photo is a poem all its own. And your words bring it to life, and makes us aware of how important we are to our loved ones. I think I’ll go have a good cry now.
That is a touching picture ~ And I could so relate to not being tired to tell a bedtime story again ~ My youngest would insist, and insist on a story every night, even though its the same story ~ Even though I am tired, I just had to tell the story in between yawns ~ Loving the words from the mother’s heart ~
dang. oy. that is a heart punch. seeing that picture…that any kid would be so alone or miss their mom so much…it tears me up…yeah, dont ever take your kids for granted…and i wont as well…emotional piece…
That picture is so terribly sad.
The poem carried a love that mirrored it.
Well done!
Thank you so much!
my pleasure!