Passing the Playground

On By Michele LeeIn Inspirational People, Poetic Prose, Verse
I passed her on the playground
I was once her
Someday she’ll be me
She was pushing a giggling girl in a fastened seat
I watched
Bouncing pig tails and kicking feet
I smiled at her
She smiled at me
I wanted to pause my walk and tell her
all I’ve learned along my motherly path

Each passing year a quick lift and descend
Oh, how fast they go
With each push your babe will grow
Her kicking legs, now secure will need to run, explore
Her playful giggles may turn defiant,
and you will want to push open her slammed door
Her bouncing pigtails may evolve into long locks
no longer needing a mother’s touch
Hold tight when you can to that giggling babe
but never miss a chance to push her toward the heavens
It is there she will find stars with her wings stretched
She will find some clouds too
Whatever awaits her, she will find her way
Whatever the future brings, she will feel your presence
pushing and protecting

I did not pause
I left her be
I kept walking along the path
I cried for her
I cried for me

I passed another woman
Much older than me
I smiled
She smiled
No words exchanged
Our eyes did connect
The look I gave the young mom
was now staring back at me
I was once her
Someday she’ll be me

I kept walking
along the path
toward my future
Whatever awaits me,
I will find my way
Whatever the future brings,
I will feel her presence,
my soaring babe
Artist Sammi Lee
Sammi’s first birthday, many moons ago

Morning walks are inspiring and sometimes surprising. ✨ October is my daughter’s birthday month. She and I will celebrate together later this month when I travel to see Miss Sammi Lee. This post is dedicated to her, my greatest gift. 💞 Two years ago I wrote her a birthday poem titled, “Autumn Delivers.” If you are new to my site, I would love for you to read it. It was a special writing experience for me, inspired by Sammi’s presence and the beautiful fall colors of Oregon. Thank you for visiting and reading. Be well. 💗 Michele

Check out artist Sammi Lee’s incredible art: On Instagram @sammilee.art or her artistic enterprise mintakacollection.com Thanks!

Sammi has heard me sing this chorus to her a few times. 🎶 Happy Birthday Sammi Sunshine! 🌞

Photo 1: by Yuganov Konstantin Photo 2: Sammi Lee with her latest painting titled, “In Bloom” – Aren’t they both gorgeous! 🌸 Photo 3: Sammi and me 😊

© 2022 Michele Lee Sefton

83 thoughts on “Passing the Playground”

  10. Oh my goodness Michele my Belle, these pictures bring such a warm smile to my face. Sammi ain’t no little baby anymore, but oh what an amazing woman she has become my friend. I know you are so proud of her and the inspiration behind your poem, I know she is too proud of her mama too. 🤗💖🥰 May she celebrate the entire month of October for her birthday! 🥳🎂🤩🎁😊💐🎈 Oh, and I’m sure she won’t mind you jumping in and dancing a little jig!!! 💃🏼🎵🍰🎶💃🏽 Hugs and smooches! 😘💋😘

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Ahhhh they do the same for me. 😊 Two sentimental souls are we! 💖 Your words make me smile too. Thank you, Kymbelina. I have a feeling she will celebrate for more than a day. 😁 Hopefully she’s not all danced out by the time I get there. 💃🏻🎶 Back at ya beautiful! 🤗😘

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. OK, go figure, but I typed up a nice reply message, and that little sucker disappeared somewhere. 😠 Anywho…I agree, we are definitely sentimental. But if your daughter is anything like you, she will be dancing through October, November, December… Oh heck, how about the way I celebrate my birthday, for a whole year! LMBO 🤣😜😂 Hugs and smooches! 💃🏼👠🎵👢💐💃🏽

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Such a wonderful poem written ✍️my friend for your beautiful daughter’s Happy Birthday 🎂 🌷🎉
    Each lines of poem you sharing All The Best love to her and Photos are gorgeous 🌷🙏👍🏻😊
    Your Daughter world’s so lucky girl to get wonderful mom like you ,I cherish lovely mom and
    lovely daughter 💕👌Have a wonderful Birthday and grace wishes dear Simmi Lee 💐💝🎉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. So many blessings, yes. 💗 I am grateful to you, Thattamma. Your kindness radiates from your comment. ✨ We will have a special celebration when I see her soon. 🎂 More cake! 😁
      Best to you lovely lady. 💐💝

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  16. Absolutely wonderful Michele. Like you, I often pause to note the passage of time for my children, grandchildren, and then for myself. In many ways it is bittersweet isn’t it? I think your poem reflects this feeling superbly. It reminds me also that we all become our mothers one day…thanks for sharing your wonderful talent with us.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. What a heartfelt comment. Thank you very much. It is bittersweet, yes. Having independent children is a blessing but that longing to hold that little babe never goes away. I suppose that feeling is a blessing too. I appreciate your insightful thoughts. 🙏🏻

      Like

      Reply

  17. Lovely reads. Both. So wonderful. I also left a comment on the other one. (So many well wishes 👏)

    You published that one two years ago. I was closer to e-meeting you then. 😆
    How lovely!
    Born in a season when the heat rescinds
    — how lovely.
    I too have an October young man AND, as you already know from my October essays, I’m celebrating the whole month as my birthday month. So, I understand October. 🍂
    It’s a lovely season to reflect.
    A lovely season of introspection: “autumn’s mood and palette” Yay!
    Loved where you said
    “instead you inhaled the scent of autumn” This is glorious. Both are.
    Thanks for sharing and happy birthday to Sammi Lee. (Im a premie too) And to her mother too. Blessings. I wish you miracles.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I am grateful for your generous and gracious comments. Thank you, Selma. I read the “Autumn Delivers” comment first. 🍂 Beautiful reflection! I look forward to more of your essays. Enjoy your birthday month! 🥳 May it be inspiring, creative, and joyful.

      Like

      Reply

  21. What loving and heart-warming post you wrote, Michele! A declaration of devoted love and a testament of a womanly path. I found myself lost in your beguiling words and beautiful storytelling….

    Loved all the stunning photos! Bravo to you and Sammi! The very best is yet to come!! 💖

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. The pleasure is mine, dear Michele! 💖 And I thank you for your kind words! I’ve been doing well and of course, life had been a bit hectic with all the planning, packing and moving… But it’s all over now😁

        Liked by 1 person

  22. What a wonderful post all around, Michele..your beautiful poem, lovely photo, and the song. I assume that’s you singing? If so, you have a beautiful voice. It takes me back to my singing days. 🙂 Ironically, when my daughter was little, she used to sing that song, too. Thanks for the memories! Happy birthday to your daughter and I can relate to your profound love for her. 💞

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Lauren, your comment is so full of support and kindness. Thank you very much. The singing… I do sound a bit like the singer, and I love to sing, but it is not my voice. 😊 Your daughter singing – that is ironic and sweet. 🌞 My pleasure to evoke happy memories! I am glad you found yourself in my Playground post. 💗

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  23. How beautiful this poem is; it is a lovely reflection, and gives any parent pause, to reflect, rejoice, and feel that love deep within for our children. 💖 The pics are beautiful too. Happy birthday, Sammi! 🎉🎂🥳🎈

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. It was a special and sweet write for me. Time sure does! Thank you very much, Dwight. 😊 I had the pleasure of seeing Sammi’s painting in its early stage during my last visit. What a treat to see the finished product! Would make a perfect Christmas gift for her mom. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  28. “There’s a reason for the sun-shining sky
    And there’s a reason why we’re feeling so high
    Must be the season
    When that love light shines all around us”
    (adjusted Bellamy Brothers)

    It’s a pleasure following you two – so much talent. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  29. Aw what a sweet and heartfelt write!💕 It’s bittersweet to see how time flies but memories like these stay new forever. Wishing your daughter a very happy birthday – such a talented artist!💫

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  30. You have brought tears to my eyes — in a good way, of course. It is how I feel all the time. I am the old woman you looked at walking through the park, yet part of me is still pushing that stroller with the giggling child. Always torn between the two, stuck where we are, being thankful we have made it this far. Love you!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  31. How lovely this magical piece is as, in it, I feel the passing of years ever present in the beautiful cycles that warp through our lives! Loving these lines: “I was once her/
    Someday she’ll be me . . .” How vulnerable and lovely a statement! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s