Headstall's Reflections - 36. Chapter 36 Old Girl

It's a beautiful poem, Gary

Lovely Gary ... everything's moving me to tears today.. this is too. xoxo

I've been blessed to be spending an extended visit with my mum. I know the time shall come when she too will be gone but for now I have her near. My heart goes out to all of you who have but memories.

On 12/10/2016 10:29 AM, Valkyrie said:

Damn, Gary... I need a tissue now. Very moving poem.

Thank you, Val. I miss my mom, so to see and interact with someone who had such a resemblance to her was a special thing. Thanks for reading and reviewing

On 12/10/2016 10:57 AM, AC Benus said:

It's a beautiful poem, Gary

Thanks, AC. Thank you for commenting. I miss her terribly, especially around Christmas. Cheers... Gary....

On 12/10/2016 11:10 AM, Mikiesboy said:

Lovely Gary ... everything's moving me to tears today.. this is too. xoxo

Thanks, tim... I've been teary today too... thanks for your support xoxoxo

On 12/10/2016 11:22 AM, dughlas said:

I've been blessed to be spending an extended visit with my mum. I know the time shall come when she too will be gone but for now I have her near. My heart goes out to all of you who have but memories.

I love hearing about your time spent with your mom, dugh. It makes me think of my own special times. Every day is a blessing, my dear friend... thank you xoxoxo

Like the others who commented, I choked up and went a bit misty for a moment. Your poem paints a perfect picture of the scene and takes a vivid snapshot. I could hear the exchange between the poet and the old girl; you have the gift of putting us right in the spot. Thank Yiu for this beautiful piece.

On 12/10/2016 01:23 PM, Parker Owens said:

Like the others who commented, I choked up and went a bit misty for a moment. Your poem paints a perfect picture of the scene and takes a vivid snapshot. I could hear the exchange between the poet and the old girl; you have the gift of putting us right in the spot. Thank Yiu for this beautiful piece.

Thanks, Parker. Sometimes life puts us were we need to be. That's the way I felt when I walked out of there. It's rewarding that you felt what you did...

I'm torn by this one Gary...it was warm and touching, but it was your note saying you missed your mom that hit me the most.
You see, my mom died in 2007, five days after my birthday, and I spent most of that week in her hospital room, along with my three sisters and cousins...and three of those days I was there mostly by myself as the others took turns at the vigil.
Mom always thought her heart would be the end of her, and she was taking a lot of pills, mostly for things she didn't really have need of...but it was her diabetese and refusal of dialysis that was the final cause...she'd opted for palliative care alone, which meant no machines except some oxygen, and meds for pain relief. Refusing dialysis was due to a friend of hers having a bad experience with it, so that was all she needed to hear...stubbornness was her hallmark.
Anyway, despite being 76 years old, she didn't look it at all--she could have been in her 40s by the color of her hair and lack of major wrinkles...so I could never picture her as an 'old gal', and it just seemed so unfair to lose her that way. Age usually gives some warning, like the woman in your poem...but not for my mom.
I've always felt cheated in a way, that age didn't show on her, but I lost her anyway...the hurt is just the same I guess, but to me it hurt more without the obvious signs of advancing years.
Thank you for this poem--it reminded me of some fond memories with my mom, and consoled me that the old gal wasn't alone, and neither was my mom at her own end.

On 12/10/2016 07:30 PM, ColumbusGuy said:

I'm torn by this one Gary...it was warm and touching, but it was your note saying you missed your mom that hit me the most.

You see, my mom died in 2007, five days after my birthday, and I spent most of that week in her hospital room, along with my three sisters and cousins...and three of those days I was there mostly by myself as the others took turns at the vigil.

Mom always thought her heart would be the end of her, and she was taking a lot of pills, mostly for things she didn't really have need of...but it was her diabetese and refusal of dialysis that was the final cause...she'd opted for palliative care alone, which meant no machines except some oxygen, and meds for pain relief. Refusing dialysis was due to a friend of hers having a bad experience with it, so that was all she needed to hear...stubbornness was her hallmark.

Anyway, despite being 76 years old, she didn't look it at all--she could have been in her 40s by the color of her hair and lack of major wrinkles...so I could never picture her as an 'old gal', and it just seemed so unfair to lose her that way. Age usually gives some warning, like the woman in your poem...but not for my mom.

I've always felt cheated in a way, that age didn't show on her, but I lost her anyway...the hurt is just the same I guess, but to me it hurt more without the obvious signs of advancing years.

Thank you for this poem--it reminded me of some fond memories with my mom, and consoled me that the old gal wasn't alone, and neither was my mom at her own end.

Thanks, CG. In some ways, I feel cheated too. Cancer is an ugly thing. Sometimes I believe she was lucky to not understand what was going on for some of it. She was so sweet and at times, childlike. But, she kept her dignity as well. Seeing 'old girl' was a powerful experience for me... love you, buddy...

Well, I think its unanimous... this one had me teary as I read it. My mom is still with me, but this made me think of my grandmothers. One died when I was only twelve and the other when I was an adult, but I still sometimes see people, and meet women who bring their memories rushing back to me. I always miss them a little bit more in those moments, even as I smile. As for the term "old girl", it made me smile. I had a friend who's grandmother referred to herself, and other older women with spunk, and "old broad".
Thank you for the little trip down memory lane, my friend.

On 12/11/2016 02:57 AM, LitLover said:

Well, I think its unanimous... this one had me teary as I read it. My mom is still with me, but this made me think of my grandmothers. One died when I was only twelve and the other when I was an adult, but I still sometimes see people, and meet women who bring their memories rushing back to me. I always miss them a little bit more in those moments, even as I smile. As for the term "old girl", it made me smile. I had a friend who's grandmother referred to herself, and other older women with spunk, and "old broad".

Thank you for the little trip down memory lane, my friend.

I'm at the point where I can be teary over my mom, and I miss her terribly, but they're mostly happy tears. She was a wonderful woman, and I cherish her flaws as much as her strengths. I never ever doubted her love for her children. Thank you, my friend, for this wonderful review... cheers

I still have my mother with me and your poem gave me a kick that I should spend more time with her ... Thank you, Gary !

On 12/11/2016 08:45 AM, hohochan657 said:

I still have my mother with me and your poem gave me a kick that I should spend more time with her ... Thank you, Gary !

I love hearing that, hohochan! We have to remember the clock is always ticking, and creating memories will keep you company when they're gone. Just a few minutes more... what I wouldn't give... thanks for reviewing, buddy

On 12/11/2016 12:40 PM, Bucket1 said:

Thanks, B!

On 12/12/2016 05:29 AM, Reader1810 said:

it.

Seems as if you got an early Christmas gift that day....

Yes, I believe I did. She fascinated me in the most amazing way. It really felt like I was looking at and talking to my mom. Thanks, Reader