I did not intend this post to be this way or this long. It just ended up like this, with a hodge-podge of stuff. A myriad thoughts on mothers & daughters & sons & so much more poured out onto this place. So here is hoping you love it (at least some of it).. and take something from it for yourself..

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Heartfelt Thoughts On Mothers & Daughters & Sons and More

Poetic Musings

#1 is for dVerse’s Prosery prompt from earlier this week and #2 is for the OLN optional prompt

1. On a Wish

We had no idea if mom realized it was dad’s birthday. Not too long ago, she had reminded us to wish a family friend on their anniversary so we knew her memory was still sharp, but then the dreaded disease had taken a toll on her this past week. I was glad to be next to her, had literally glued myself there since I flew back after hearing the doctor’s ‘anytime now’ verdict. 

On dad’s birthday, we decided to remind her for a change. Did she want to wish dad out loud (likely he was waiting for her on the other side)? She did!

Mom said “Happy birthday” with a smile on her face. But that smile was the last smile to come upon her face. Mom passed away the very next day. Here’s hoping that smile came back when she joined dad.

~ Vidya Tiru @ LadyInReadWrites (144 words)

This piece of prose (events from my life) goes towards the dVerse Prosery prompt earlier this week. The ask is to include this line from the poem “Ballad of Birmingham,” by Dudley Randall, in a piece of prose/flash fiction of up to or exactly 144 words. And link back to dVerse

But that smile was the last smile
To come upon her face.

2. Sweetheart Pink

Sometimes, not frequently, the woods are pink 
Pink like my little sweethearts’ cheeks, and I think
Of warm hugs, grins, and whispers in the air,
Of that tender moment, beyond compare.

As sunlight streams through branches high,
Like a mom’s gentle kiss from that fiery sky.
In this rosy haven, I ponder and I muse,
That, sometimes the woods are pink, just to amuse!
~ Vidya @ LadyInReadWrites

This poem goes towards this week’s OLN’s optional prompt over at dVerse.

3. Teacup Family Thesaurus

What They Are (Always, Forever)

Father:
Dream nurturer, believer,
strength forger, first mentor,
Calm pillar, care giver,
Enabler, father…

Mother:
Courage builder, solace giver,
Warmth provider, love defender,
Spirit lifter, heart warmer,
Simply mother, forever..

Husband:
Dream partner, vision sharer,
Collaborator, supporter,
Provider, strong shoulder,
Pain bearer, delighter!

Daughter:
Dream builder, pain soother,
Trouble maker, joy weaver!
Light bearer, heart healer,
Grin giver, sweet talker!

Son:
Hug giver, strength pillar,
Calm bringer, peace keeper,
Trailblazer, spirit lifter,
Music maker, joy bringer!

Brother:
Dream sharer, first sparrer,
Supporter, life’s co-reporter,
Spirit lifter, memory keeper,
Brother, best friend forever!
~ Vidya Tiru @ LadyInReadWrites

What the Thesaurus Says of

4. Mothers

Mom ; Mama ; Mommy ; Mum ; Ma ; Parent ; Mater ; Matriarch ; Progenitor ; Caregiver

5. Daughters

Girl ; Child ; Offspring ; Progeny ; Female offspring ; Maiden ; Lass ; Miss ; Young woman ; Heiress

6. Sons

Boy ; Child ; Offspring ; Male offspring ; Lad ; Youngster ; Youth ; Heir ; Junior ; Sire

7. and More

Additional ; Extra ; Further ; Increased ; Greater ; Supplementary ; Added ; Plus ; Beyond ; Greater number

A.A. Milne: On Mothers, Daughters, Sons, and More

January 18th is A. A. Milne’s birthday. Last year, I had a list of

8. On Mothers & Sons

I had not read this poem before today but on looking for something about mothers by Milne on the occasion of his birthday today, I discovered this gem! Enjoy! Text available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.

Disobedience

⁠James James
⁠Morrison Morrison
⁠Weatherby George Dupree
⁠Took great
⁠Care of his Mother,
⁠Though he was only three.
⁠James James
⁠Said to his Mother,
⁠”Mother,” he said, said he;
“You must never go down to the end of the town, if
⁠you don’t go down with me.”

⁠James James
⁠Morrison’s Mother
⁠Put on a golden gown,
⁠James James
⁠Morrison’s Mother
⁠Drove to the end of the town.
⁠James James
⁠Morrison’s Mother
⁠Said to herself, said she:
“I can get right down to the end of the town and be
⁠back in time for tea.”

⁠King John
⁠Put up a notice,
⁠”LOST or STOLEN or STRAYED!
⁠JAMES JAMES
⁠MORRISON’S MOTHER
⁠SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN MISLAID.
⁠LAST SEEN
⁠WANDERING VAGUELY:
⁠QUITE OF HER OWN ACCORD,
SHE TRIED TO GET DOWN TO THE END OF
⁠THE TOWN—FORTY SHILLINGS REWARD!

⁠James James
⁠Morrison Morrison
⁠(Commonly known as Jim)
⁠Told his
⁠Other relations
⁠Not to go blaming him.
⁠James James
⁠Said to his Mother,
⁠”Mother,” he said, said he:
“You must never go down to the end of the town without
⁠consulting me.”

⁠James James
⁠Morrison’s mother
⁠Hasn’t been heard of since.
⁠King John
⁠Said he was sorry,
⁠So did the Queen and Prince.
⁠King John
⁠(Somebody told me)
⁠Said to a man he knew:
“If people go down to the end of the town, well, what
⁠can anyone do?”

(Now then, very softly)
⁠J. J.
⁠M. M.
⁠W.G. Du P.
⁠Took great
⁠C/o his M*****
⁠Though he was only 3.
⁠J. J.
⁠Said to his M*****
⁠”M*****,” he said, said he:
“You-must-never-go-down-to-the-end-of-the-town-if-
⁠you-don’t-go-down-with ME!”

9. Milne’s Tug at Heartstrings aka Quotes

• “Sometimes,’ said Pooh, ‘the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.”
• “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
• “Some people care too much. I think it’s called love.”
• “Any day spent with you is my favorite day. So today is my new favorite day.”
• “How do you spell ‘love’?” – Piglet
  “You don’t spell it…you feel it.” – Pooh”

Random Thoughts, Related Stuff, etcs…

10. Gift Ideas: For my daughter

Check out these beautiful looking and great smelling gift sets from Bella Vita. I picked the Floral scents and my daughter immediately took one of them for herself. But she admitted she prefers the fruity/woodsy scents so I might just have to get one of those gift sets for her.

These are some of the options you have available for you:

Bella Vita Organic Perfumes

• Woman Eau De Parfum Gift Set 4×20 ml Date, Senorita, Glam, Rose Perfume
• Unisex Luxury Perfume Gift Set 4×20 ML for Men & Women | Long Lasting Fragrance Eau De Parfum | SKAI | FRESH | WHITEOUD | PATCHOULI
• Man Luxury Perfume Gift Set 4×20 ML for Men with Dominus, Oud, CEO, Impact Perfume|Woody, Citrusy Long Lasting EDP & EDC Fragrance Scent |80 ML
• CEO MAN Eau De Parfum with Lemon, Lavender, Tonka & Agarwood | Long Lasting Perfume for men, 15% Perfume Oil Concentration | Gift for men | 3.3 Fl.oz
• Luxury Honey Oud Eau de Parfum, Patchouli, Vanilla, Bergamot, Floral & Spicy + Made with Clean & Vegan Essentials Oils + Cruelty Free

11. Something for my son and also my husband

This Dwight bobblehead might just be the key to smiles for these men in my life. Both have that goofy sense of humor and a love for all things Office that they might enjoy it. Maybe you know someone like that too!?

12. For myself?

Both my daughter and I are Gilmore Girls fans (Maybe I am a bigger one – in many ways!) and I might just get this Gilmore Girls themed mug for myself.

13. A Hodgepodge of Questions

Answer these questions on From this Side of the Pond and link back there. Read other’s answers to these questions. I am an on-again, off-again visitor to this fun weekly meme.

1.  In many ways Pooh represents innocence and simplicity. His optimism reminds us to appreciate the little things. What are three little things you’re appreciating in mid-January? 

• We finally have the contractor working on our long-awaited guest bathroom project! Plus other miscellanous ones
• The year started off well; with visiting family and friends who are almost family; seeing the wonders of the Everglades; and with happy news of weddings.
• Rain…

2. Piglet teaches us even the smallest of individuals can achieve big things with the proper amount of determination. How do your current responsibilities make you feel? 

• Given I am not in a full-time job and currently not doing any other freelancing/part time jobs too, my responsibilities are my family and home. And I love those! So despite the challenges that life throws our way every so often, I feel pretty okay. Just need to take deep breaths every so often, and enjoy the outdoors.

3. Tigger is known for his enthusiasm and energy, his boundless joy and love of life. What’s something you’re interested in learning more about in this new year? 

• Gardening! Need to work on that green thumb this year. And on the other side, how to finally write that book/story I want to. Plus, generative AI too.. as well as prompt engineering.

4. Eeyore, while a melancholy character, teaches us the importance of resilience and perseverance. How do you stay motivated and persevere in difficult circumstances?

• By reminding myself that this too shall pass, and I have persevered before, so I can do it again!

5. What’s the last thing you ate that was made with honey? 

• Does it count if I spread some Manuka honey on a slice of toast? It is heavenly!

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

• I have run out of thoughts now!! Exhausted them..Depleted my brain of thoughts. Used them all up. Drained… and now I am done.

And Now, the End of This Post

Dear reader, if you have reached this point of my post, thank you for reading it to the end!! Do let me know your thoughts on the post and if you would be getting any of those gift items for yourself or a loved one.