But I Love Them Wholeheartedly

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“Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.” – Rabindranath Tagore

Kids! They bicker with each other
and leave their shoes around.
Tears flow too easily
usually because they’re low on fuel.

It takes so much work
To make a family work
Keeping their hearts and minds engaged
And bodies well.

But I love them wholeheartedly
And not just when they are sleeping
Curled up with an arm akimbo
And sideways on the bed.

Because there’s a fierceness
Of love and loyalty
When we know we belong together
And commit to making repair

The laughter and dance parties
Curiosity and attentiveness
Is so damn inspiring
That one cannot help but grow

I’m so profoundly proud
Of the effort my kids put in to every day
Really of all of us
Forging a path through all the busy-ness
To the heart of the way

Family has a myriad of definitions
Depending on our point of view
But I’ll keep mine – work and everything
Because there is so much love to do!

62 thoughts on “But I Love Them Wholeheartedly”

  3. Thanks, Wynne. Ordinary but profound family love and life puts all of today’s sad and bad news into perspective. We have little influence on so many things… but we can all make a difference in and with those around us

    Liked by 4 people

    1. “We have little influence on so many things… but we can all make a difference in and with those around us” Wow – yes! I completely agree that it puts everything into perspective. Thanks, Malcolm!

      Liked by 2 people

  4. Wow…to every line…but especially these words:
    …”there’s a fierceness
    Of love and loyalty
    When we know we belong together”
    Beautiful, Wynne. Beautiful! 💕

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Oh, what a poignant comment. Thank you, Belinda. Yes, I think my sense that my sister didn’t feel like she belonged in my family of origin has made me work hard at that with my kids.

      Liked by 2 people

  8. As a grandma, I’d like to add, the fierce love never ends, and the work never stops. There were times when my son was a teenager, that I thought once he became an adult and was out on his own, I’d get a break. But now he’s 35 and I think I worry more now, because since he left home, it’s no longer my job to give unasked for guidance over his choices. And when I thought he was my world and I couldn’t possibly love someone more, being a grandma has shown me that love just grows and spreads, deeper and stronger. 💞💞

    Liked by 6 people

    1. What an incredibly beautiful comment, Rose. “that love just grows and spreads, deeper and stronger. 💞💞” Oh, I love it. And that the work and worry continue is just part and parcel, right?

      Liked by 2 people

  9. Awe, you wrote what I was thinking, but couldn’t convey in my post today on saying goodbye to my family, Wynne. Beautiful, beautiful words. Love it so much. I love your ending. “But I’ll keep mine – work and everything, Because there is so much love to do!” It’s so inspiring.

    Liked by 3 people

  18. Echoing the “Beautiful!” others have posted here Wynne. This pic of the happy, ‘3 musketeers’ enjoying life to the fullest together beautifully depicts the priceless, wholehearted love children bring to a family.

    One of life’s most precious blessings is God’s unfathomable love that allowed us to be co-creators with Him in birthing children into this world to enrich our lives and fill our hearts with love beyond measure.

    Thank you for this precious reminded Wynne.

    “Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love“

    1 Corinthians 13:13

    Liked by 4 people

  19. This is beautifully expressed, Wynne – and in such a poignant poetic way too!

    You captured so well what parenting and family is all about and that through the minutia and challenges and bickering, there is deep profound and wholehearted love. 💕

    Liked by 4 people

  20. Now Wynne honey, this is such a heartwarming expression of poetry, that shows what a loving and caring mother you are. 🤗💖😊 No matter what, you still love your kids wholeheartedly, even when you want to strangle them sometimes! 😜 They are simply little extensions of you Mama Bear! Beautiful post! 🌞

    Liked by 3 people

  22. Our son is the best part of our lives. Raising kids is not without its challenges, but the real reward is when they become kind and decent adults.

    Liked by 3 people

  27. Beautiful poem, Wynne. I love this stanza:
    “Because there’s a fierceness
    Of love and loyalty
    When we know we belong together
    And commit to making repair,”
    and the ending was magnificent. There is so much love to do, indeed.

    Liked by 2 people

  28. Your poem beautifully captures the essence of parenting. I especially love the line, “I’m so profoundly proud of the effort my kids put in to every day.” It’s a reminder of the resilience and determination our children show, often unnoticed. Their dedication and effort are truly inspiring. Thank you for highlighting this often-overlooked aspect of their daily lives.

    Liked by 1 person

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