Today is the start of Nick Wilford's "Overcoming Adversity" bloghop. I haven't done a bloghop in ages, but I knew, as soon as I saw Nick's first post talking about it, that I wanted to do this one. Nick asked bloggers to write a short story on overcoming adversity that he would later compile into an anthology to help raise funds to send his stepson Andrew, who has cerebral palsy, to college. What an amazing privilege to be able to participate in a project like this!
I wasn't able to come up with a respectable story (embarrassing for a fiction writer to admit, but true), so I turned to poetry. This piece is in honor of my grandparents. Some of my most precious and painful memories are seeing my grandfather sit beside Grandma's bedside holding her hand, long after her memories of him had faded. The very last memory I have of them together, in fact, is of them in that position when she was in the hospital with the pneumonia that eventually ended her life. If anyone in my life has ever been an example of overcoming adversity, it is them.
Nick, thank you for giving me this chance to join in something like this - it truly is a gift from you to us!
~
Memory
Farm boy
Solider
Mechanic
Farm girl
Student
Teacher
Husband and wife
Parents
Grandparents and more
Her memories are gone
His legs no longer bear his weight
To the world, they are broken
Side by side
Her in a hospital bed
He in his wheelchair
Hands clasped
Love forever
Together, they are always whole.
~
I love this, Louise. What a wonderful way to celebrate your grandparents' life of love together!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julie!
DeleteHi Louise. I'm visiting from the bloghop.
ReplyDeleteYou've painted a beautiful image of overcoming adversity...
In my mind's eye, I can see the two of them so clearly... it really evokes a sense of wistfulness.
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for visiting and for your kind words, Michelle.
DeleteBeautiful poem! That really made my heart melt. I love it when true love conquers all!
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you, Louise. :-) I'm also participating in the Nick's bloghop and am trying to get around to everyone...
ReplyDeleteLoved that your entry was inspired by your grandparents. My own are some of the biggest influences in my life. Sadly, I lost my last one when I was 11, but the memories have been with me every day.
The mechanic part also struck a chord, because I come from a family of them. (My father, his uncles, etc.) I'm not sure I inherited the gene. :-)
Thank you for visiting, EJ. I didn't seem to inherit the gene for farming, teaching, OR mechanics. Both my grandparents were famous storytellers, though, so I guess I'll be content with my inheritance in that area. :-)
DeletePoetry is so much harder for me, so I admire your contribution. It was very lovely! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! Poetry doesn't always flow for me, either, but it came to me quite nicely in this instance.
DeleteBeautiful! Reminded me of the last time I saw my grandmother. Two days before she passed she sent me a poem. It broke my heart! She was the most awesome woman I've ever known. Someday I hope to write her story!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing,
Oh, what a precious gift from your grandmother! I hope you do write her story someday; our grandparents always need to be remembered. Thank you for visiting.
DeleteThis is a fine tribute to your grandparents. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cynthia!
DeleteAww. I love how deeply you jumped into my emotions with so few words. Beautiful poem.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteI got goosebumps. This is so beautiful. What a great piece!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteVery nice poem, so moving. This is definitely an illustration of true love!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Trisha!
DeleteReally sweet. Brings tears to my eyes. I love this. And very cool that you see Nick's bloghop as a gift to us all. I totally agree. The blogging community is so amazing.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It is always an amazing joy to be able to contribute to something bigger than us, isn't it?
DeleteHi, Louise,
ReplyDeleteSo nice to meet you. Came over from the HOP.... This was a stunning tribute you your grandparents. I am so touched and a bit tearful. Thank you for sharing their moment with us.
Michael
Thank you for visiting and for your kind words, Michael!
DeleteA very touching piece, Louise, and a great description of unbreakable love. They will always be together. Thank you for taking part!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Nick! And thank you for the excuse to write something about them.
DeleteA lovely, heartfelt tribute to your grandparents. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteNice poetry, sweet and touching. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you very much.
DeleteBeautiful, Louise. There is not other word for it. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, David.
DeleteLouise, wow. That is truly powerful and moving.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful and poetry is such a powerful form of literature. Great work.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful! :D We need to be reminded of the power of love and how it holds us and keeps us whole~
ReplyDeleteIt sounds totally cliche, but yes, love, true love, really is more powerful than anything else on earth.
DeleteWay to celebrate two special people!
ReplyDeleteoh I love this. Create great images in the mind, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, and thank you!
DeleteBeautiful poem! Their relationship sounds truly amazing.
ReplyDeleteThey were and are an inspiration to all their kids and grandkids, and I hope someday to their great-grandkids as well.
Delete