The joyful miracle of giving birth to another life cannot be equalled. But with five strong characters to rear sometimes the great bones of my life feel so heavy. They could never be a ‘burden’ but getting it [parenting] right is.
Trying to avoid what I didn’t appreciate from my own childhood and install that confidence and curiosity that was absent. I closely watch other parents in order to learn what to do and what to abandon. Always praying that my kids will be grateful for their upbringing even though their father is mostly absent.
He does his best earning a substantial income but sadly had to go overseas to do that. I miss his invaluable input, the camaraderie of sharing our antidotes. Sure we do it on zoom but that’s a long stretch from snuggling up on the lounge. Will love win through.
d’Verse, 144 word prosery, Linda
“Sometimes the great bones of my life feel so heavy,” from Mary Oliver’s “Spring Azures.”
aroused 
Hang in there! Parenting really is the hardest job on earth
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Hi i am talking about another version of parenting.
https://thatimperfectlady.wordpress.com/2021/04/15/mirror-mirror-1/
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Love the writing though I’m pretty sure (based on past writings) that you aren’t a parent of 5 😉 But I can definitely relate with my “brood” here. 😉 Love and hugs
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Interesting how much a reader can feel from yet short but beautifully written piece. Well done and I wish you the best of luck 🌟
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Oh Kate, parenting is indeed a tedious job but has its own beauty and warmth but yes a great responsibility ❤️ Kate, is this a true story?
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You have written it so well that I thought it to be true 😊
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What a lovely heartfelt response to the prompt — and wow. raising 2 daughters felt heavy — I can’t imagine 5 children! wow.
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Loved the line “with 5 strong characters.” Parenting is so hard, yet so rewarding. It makes you want to cry and it makes you want to scream and it makes you want to laugh out loud. And it is especially hard when one parent is far away. Great job with the prompt.
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To be a parent by yourself is not an easy matter… you can only do your best.
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Beautifully done, Kate. Parenting is no easy job! We do the best we can and learn from others (when we are open to it.)
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Sending you hugs, energy, strength, compassion and much love.
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This is gorgeously written. I don’t need to meet you in person to say this, “you are a wonderful parent!” 🙂 And yes, love will most definitely win through! 💝💝
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too kind Sanaa, you just gave me the highest praise for my writing … it’s fiction, not a word of truth in it 🙂
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Parenting was not easy but I’m thankful to have three terrific adult children who have turned out so well with families of their own. Your character is going to be fine because love will win.
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Well written tale! Parenting is an art…perfection is not the goal. We learn so much from our children as well as they learning from us. But, if you look at a beautiful painting, it is the result of many brushstrokes. In places, the colors blur. We all make mistakes, start again…with the proper light, the overall beauty is unmistakable. (Just people doing their very best, with the help of God to guide them.)
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A great post on parenting, Kate and since I too have two of my children who have become big can understand very well what parenting is all about. Thank you so much for these lovely words. The picture too is so apt.
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Felt like I was reading a story by one of the classical authors. Beautiful weaving.
Parenting is difficult.
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No parent is perfect, we can only do our best. I needed to have my own children to understand that. (K)
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Oh yes, the ups and downs of it…
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Parenting is never easy. We always want to improve on the past.
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Let’s just hope mine want to visit me once we all get to adulthood alive. 😉
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Excellent relatable write, SweetKate!!!
I’ve been a LOT of great places! I’ve done a LOT of fun and wonderful things! I’ve had some interesting jobs and volunteer jobs! I’ve met a LOT of amazing people from all over the world!
But, the greatest things I ever got to do was make a loving comfy safe home…be a mom…and get to know the MOST amazing human-beans that are my children! 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
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Parenting is the hardest job in the world, there’s no training for it, you can only watch what other parents do, but it is the most rewarding.
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Well, well, well, well done! This was written so believably!
-David
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You wrote this so well, Kate, from a mother’s perspective. It truly resonated but am I glad I have two and not five!! 🙂
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I am a child of my parents. They have 2 others but fruits from the same tree do not turn out the same despite same training or upbringing. So, I am cynical and say that parenting also requires luck on getting right outcomes.
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Like your take on the prompt, Kate. There’s no job as rewarding and no job as hard, especially on your own for the most part, but you sound as if you’re doing great.
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You’ve said it so well Kate. I think parenting is the hardest job in this world. But it is rewarding indeed. 😅
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The parent responsibility is a big one. Sometimes the bones of past experiences can get very heavy. Very nice take on the prompt!
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I love Mary Oliver… and I love your take on this..
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Wow ..you’re doing a great job I imagine ..very hard for you and hope there is some support for you and that you get some time to care for yourself
You had me there 😄 great story
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A gracious story Kate … sometimes I feel there’s been a void/gap in my life… 😀
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Raising five children with daddy “in absentia” can make the great bones of your life weary” for sure. Perhaps you should change your name to Becalm Kate! Blessings
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Getting it right is always what boggles the mind, it is a thrilling practice of moment to moment presence and unconditional love.
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Parenting is both difficult and rewarding, but love makes it all worthwhile.
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love will win every time. i am a dad (not every father is a dad), a son, a brother and love is the key to them all
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Yes love will win Kate . I encourage you with the five children to raise almost alone . I liked your positive comment . This says how you envision life. Go on!
Love ❤
Michel
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“Sometimes the great bones of my life feel so heavy.” Yes. I love Mary Oliver.
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Sounds exactly the same way things used to be for me.
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Raising children is never an easy task.
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