by Dmitri Annenkov
She walked into the room, pausing at the door, looking at the treasures on the shelf. The worn teddy bear that her child had carried almost everywhere and cuddled with every night. Remembering how no one got any sleep, if that teddy couldn’t be found. The late night trip back to the supermarket to rescue it when it had accidentally been left behind. The airplane that flew all over the world when her child was at play. Oh, the many adventures that they had.
There was the toy drum for when her child wanted to strike up the band and lead a parade. Through the house they would march, down the hall and back again. Singing a song, or two or three, and it didn’t matter if it was off key, it was sung loudly with glee!
Wiping her eyes she let the memories roll down her cheeks. Then she spotted the books on the shelf and they brought a smile. Smiled at the memory of the many nights cuddled under a blanket and reading to her child, until her voice would crack. Remembering the thrill she had watching her child fall in love with books, becoming so engrossed in them, losing all track of time.
She picked up the books and it was like she could hear her child’s voice. So clear it was, it seemed like it had just been yesterday when she heard the words, ” Mommy, please read me one more chapter. I don’t want to go to bed yet. Turn back the clock.”
“Mommy please, I’m still playing with my plane, just one more hour, turn back the clock.”
She spied the apple on the shelf and once again smiled through her tears as her child’s voice rang once more through her ears, “Mommy, I’m hungry, I need just one more bedtime snack!”
Oh, the memories of yesterday, where did the time go! When did her children grow?
She wants Peter Pan to come and fly them all to Never-Never land. She wants to turn back the clock!
But as much as she wants to turn back the clock, she is excited too. Excited to see what the future holds. A new chapter is being written, and her heart smiles as she hears the ticking of the clock.
The ticking of more memories to be made and more moments to cherish, strike up the band, there still was a lot of marching left to do!
** As the days continue to draw closer to a “empty nest” I was trying to think of a song that might fit this post. None came to mind, still a little too sleepy. 🙂 If one comes to yours, feel free to share. 🙂 **
I’m going to think of a good song for this. Though the saddest empty nest song has to be “cats in the cradle”
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Oh thank you, will be eager to hear it. Yes. that “cats in the cradle” song is a great one, but so sad!!
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I know I need a long like this too!!
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I knew you would identify! ❤
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💗
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It was crazy for yesterday my youngest was talking about the colleges they want to go too and about applying this summer and I was smiling. Then everyone went to bed and and I saw this picture on Pinterest and I started getting choked up as I wrote the post! Dang emotions. LOL!
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I’m right there with you! Xoxo
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❤ We will make it! 🙂
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How about that Roy Clark song, “Thank God and Greyhound You’re Gone”? There’s nothing like having a free extra room in your house. And being able to wander the premises in a state of dishabile. And the privacy of not having someone snooping into everything you do. Empty nests are something to look forward to, in my view.
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LOL! Not quite the kind of song I was thinking of, but you do have a point. 🙂 We will have 2 empty rooms!
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I so remember this feeling! It still hits me occasionally. But life carries on, and we realize we did a good job, and look forward to the future our children make and hopefully include us in!
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Very true! 🙂
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I remember the days of ’empty nest syndrome’, but before long my adult daughter (not even going to mention adult sons) became my best friend, and now her adult daughter is also my best friend and closest confidante. Cycles of life … each has something of value to offer. Hugs!
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Awh!! This made my heart smile! ❤ Thanks! 🙂
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😊
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Abba’s ‘Slipping Through My Fingers’ might fit……
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OH Yes, that is a great one! I love Abba and that song. Thanks, am going to have to go listen to it now. 🙂
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I’m pleased it might be suitable.
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I knew I could count on my readers brains to work. 🙂
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A beautiful story written around an equally beautiful picture. Two songs come to mind : 1) “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts from the April 2006 album, Me and My Gang. 2) “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack from the May 2000 eponymous album. Sometimes country music is the only kind that will hit the mark and this is one of them. I equate “empty nest” with the completion of a chapter in a book, in this case the book of life…the best is yet to come, keep looking forward! Thank-you!
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Thank you Ellen! I was looking at pictures having no clue in my brain what to write about and then I saw that one and along with a lump in my throat the words came!
My brain definitely was tired, for I have heard the song “I hope you dance” so many times and love it, but it didn’t cross my mind last night. Not as familiar with Rascal Flatts. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for the encouragement, yes the best is yet to come. Its just learning how to adjust to the different stages.
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The one that came to mind immediately for me, I honestly thought someone else would have said already. But it was Tevye singing Sunrise, Sunset from Fiddler on the Roof that came to mind. At his daughter’s wedding, he’s thinking/singing “Is this the little girl I carried? Is this the little boy that played? I don’t remember growing older! When did they?”….
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Sunrise Sunset is a beautiful song, you are so right!! Thanks for sharing it!!
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Ok, here’s the other one that just came to mind: Turn Around: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_lyx1SB86Q
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This was sweet! Thanks for the link!
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Thank you!
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Good write. I burst into tears on the beach this morning . . . mourning the passage of time. I wanted to turn back time too ~>>> time is a swift stream!
Hope happy thoughts will soon outweigh the nostalgia for days of yore ~ both your yore, and mine!
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Awh!! Time is a swift stream indeed! Let the waves wash away the tears! Thanks for the happy thoughts wish, same to you! ❤
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