Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Like Etchings In Stone




"May you live all the days of your life."  ~Jonathan Swift


 
I learned early the power of what we give and take in this life, and the weight of what we leave behind. It can be a heavy burden whether it be plenty or it be brief.  Having lost both my parents by the time I was 29, and my only sibling before I was 40, I know all too well how important it is to make every second count.   Regret is a heavy burden to pass down as a keep sake, and sadly I have held it within my hands more than once.
It was in that loss that I found both comfort and liberty in writing.  Through poetry and the written word, I discovered a way to capture those feelings and lessons learned in a way that could be passed down from generation to generation.  Like etchings in stone, the written word surpasses the power of time's decay, giving forth more than just a glimpse of days gone by.  It is like taking a piece of someone's life and preserving it in word.  Everything that we do in this life leaves a mark in some way.  Like etchings in stone at a cemetary that states our name and the years of our life, I want my words to leave a mark as well.  Something more than just a faded memory, or torn quilt.  My desire is to give a piece of myself through my words to the ones I love, to leave behind something substantial that my grandchildren and their children can hold dear. 

19 comments:

  1. nice i think that is an admirable goal...i too want to leave behind something my boys can have and then pass on to remember who their dad was...

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  2. Beautiful piece expressing a wonderful sentiment.

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  3. Carrie, thank you for sharing this with us ...

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  4. Carrie, I desire the same as this "My desire is to give a piece of myself through my words to the ones I love, to leave behind something substantial that my grandchildren and their children can hold dear." If I accomplish that, I will have considered that my life was 'lived.'

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  5. "My desire is to give a piece of myself through my words to the ones I love", that says it all.

    You've written a very intimate post and in so doing have in fact given a piece of yourself.

    Peace Carrie.

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  6. A beautiful post, I think we all have a desire to leave a piece of ourselves behind. I love this....so sad that you lost so many people you loved so early in your life, I am sorry.

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  7. This is well written. I like this line:
    Regret is a heavy burden to ;pass down as a keepsake.

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  8. I doubt the offspring take aboard the regret. Imagine your wake and what your friends and family will say! It's all the funny things you did and the kindnesses you offered. Did I say I really like your new photo? Not arty, just a real person. Lookin' good!

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  9. Truely said Carrie! Somehow many can relate to that. Poetry writing presents an opportunity of a pastime that is fulfilling in terms of time and efforts ( and something to leave behind,too)

    Hank

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  10. I really empathise with you. Writing is my constant companion and everything I write I print and keep for those I love and will leave behind. I'm so glad I dropped in on you.

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  11. What a beautiful reason to write! Keep it up...

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  12. You are indeed a writer.
    Thankyou for dropping by.

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  13. You are fulfilling your wish. Keep going!

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  14. A wonderful piece...your writing is indeed a gift that can be passed down to generations

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  15. Keep writing and never stop. I felt empowered by this and never, never forget you will leave a mark on this world an it will grow warmer because of it.

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  16. Regret is a heavy burden- I know the weight of it also. It is a relief to exchange it for a bit of comfort.
    Thanks for sharing, Carrie!

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  17. Your writing is excellent and we all leave our mark in others memories and as you say the written word lives beyond death.

    Anna :o]

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  18. Beautifully crafted and emotionally moving...

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"Our best thoughts come from others." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson