Emma's Tree
Emma's Tree - 2023

This weekend has been interesting, a return to the norm.
A little voice, unheard for a long time
Is making itself known again. Do you know?
I’ve missed the little chirping sounds growing big!

Of course, social media and phone calls
Will never replace the sounds of a live voice
Where dialogue is two-way, not one-way,
And face features and hand gestures help the discussion along.

Reaching to hug a shoulder, share some long-missed appreciation.
It’s been years, don’t take that for granted.
Wait for it. Think about it. Feel the moment. Know.
It’s hard to hold back the tears.

Why? When you have only one grandchild
And you are happy they are around
The few times it’s happened in their life
Is not enough. I wish for more. Amen!

She planted this tree,
just knee-high it, and she was.
Good nurturing,
Led to be upright,
Held into place with love
And a little bit of concern.
To keep it growing long and tall…
In my mind and spirit,
The tree and the planter are one.
Growth is a welcome sight.

This little voice is growing up.
Soon this time will be over.
Life will transition to adulthood.
These few hours? Lost to our past.

We’ve missed so many of the growing years
Before you know it, they are getting too big.
In just a few years, as I remind everyone,
This little one, no more, can have a learner’s permit. Oh, Lord!

Don’t take special times for granted.
Enjoy every second, no matter how tiring.
Hear me. Our energy levels are not equal.
But we can play catch-up next week.

Then I pause and remember…
My kids and even I, oh, great memories.
Those way-back years of visiting grandparents,
Ace, Murvaul, Channelview, whoa, Beckville, too!
Add a generation of Anchorage, Northshore, and Livingston.
How special those times are anchored here.

Where? In my mind and heart and I hope to replicate
For my grandchild, that will someday be grown
To have fond memories of time spent here.
I’ll treasure and remember all the years long.

Okay. I must divulge a little secret.
We were worried about how she would get along…
Four German Shepherds can be a big adjustment.
Don’t Worry now. I think she wants to take one home!

Byrd. Bear. Gunny. Chewey… Which one?
I’m thinking Byrd has won her heart…
The bigger job is convincing the parents.
“That’ll never fly.” Oh, well. At least she can have them here!

Oh, by the way, she’s found treasures!
Where? In the Junk Drawer, of course.
That’s what “junk” is for!
She’s piled them up, ready to take them home!

Little Voices No More Don't take special times for granted. Enjoy every second, no matter how tiring. Where are those memories anchored? Heart. Mind. Here. There. Now and way back when. Share on X

Thank you for reading.
Please share with others.
It helps me get my book written!

(Below, you may find other topics similar to this one. Please read on!)

By Michael Gurley

Making Sense of Life, One Thought at a Time!