You asked if we have stories to share. While not as poignant, here is what I have.
I am adopted, and grew up in a family where loving expressions were not strong, leading to some sense of loss/isolation for me growing up. Fast forward to being an adult a couple years out of college, and I'm visiting home when my mom quietly hands me a clipping. It was a poem by Kahlil Gibran, "On Children". When I read it, I nearly cried. It was especially meaningful, because for me it felt strongly the sub-text acknowledging that I was adopted into the family, but still very much loved (one of the opening lines is "your children are not your children."). It was my mother's way of sharing what she did not have words for when I was growing up. I've never forgotten that, and it brought me a lot of healing.
Dear Bruce, You never disappoint in your responses. I believe it's due to your willingness to be open and vulnerable. This is the ideal companion to my story. I love that your mother found a way to express her love for you. Thank you for sharing this with us. Naturally, I had to read the entire poem, which touched me profoundly knowing your story. I'll paste it below for others to read. Blessings, Bruce.
On Children by Kahlil Gibran
And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, Speak to us of Children.
And he said:
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.
Thanks . Yes the wedding was truly wonderful & so well organized. Hard to believe our youngest is now a married man - they had to postpone their wedding because of COVID. But their patience & resilience paid off, big time!👌
Bob, what an amazing and powerful story.
You asked if we have stories to share. While not as poignant, here is what I have.
I am adopted, and grew up in a family where loving expressions were not strong, leading to some sense of loss/isolation for me growing up. Fast forward to being an adult a couple years out of college, and I'm visiting home when my mom quietly hands me a clipping. It was a poem by Kahlil Gibran, "On Children". When I read it, I nearly cried. It was especially meaningful, because for me it felt strongly the sub-text acknowledging that I was adopted into the family, but still very much loved (one of the opening lines is "your children are not your children."). It was my mother's way of sharing what she did not have words for when I was growing up. I've never forgotten that, and it brought me a lot of healing.
Dear Bruce, You never disappoint in your responses. I believe it's due to your willingness to be open and vulnerable. This is the ideal companion to my story. I love that your mother found a way to express her love for you. Thank you for sharing this with us. Naturally, I had to read the entire poem, which touched me profoundly knowing your story. I'll paste it below for others to read. Blessings, Bruce.
On Children by Kahlil Gibran
And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, Speak to us of Children.
And he said:
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.
From The Prophet (Knopf, 1923).
Thanks . Yes the wedding was truly wonderful & so well organized. Hard to believe our youngest is now a married man - they had to postpone their wedding because of COVID. But their patience & resilience paid off, big time!👌
Good human story -very emotional with a good outcome. How often do we jump to conclusions & deprive ourselves of enriching experiences!
Thanks Bob.
So true, Maureen. I hope your trip was wonderful. Thanks for writing!