Hello, Poets! This week’s Poetry Friday Round-Up is here on The Apples In My Orchard. If you want to know what Poetry Friday is check out this explanation by Renee M. La Tulippe. Thanks for participating!
I’ll try to keep my post short but bring you up to date on my story about caring for my Dad, in New York.
We traveled home on Tuesday, 12/3, and made the entire 930-mile trip in one day. It was too much! Although we’ve done this before, my husband and I have reached the conclusion that we are too old to do this now, especially when the winter weather impinges on our trip. We feel lucky to have made it home safely after driving for 16.5 hours.
Yesterday, I spent the entire day in my pajamas – something I’ve never done! I also took a three-hour nap!
Self-care? You bet it was!
My dad is being cared for by my sister now. Our care differs in how we deliver it and what we focus on but he seems to be doing well and slowly increasing his independence. But, it’s been stressful for me and probably for all involved.
Our plan is to go back in two weeks and stay for the holidays. We have our reasons for doing this, which I’ll explain at a later date.
I did take some time to write a poem while I was at Dad’s – as fall became winter and the snow moved into the Buffalo area last weekend. Initially, I wrote this for the holiday poem swap but it’s all I have to share right now. I have some ideas of other things I can right for the swap. Now that I’m home for a brief period I can concentrate on that and filling my soul with holiday joy.
Seasonal Transitions
Heavy gray clouds
Laden with moisture
What will it be?
Snow or rain?
These days (With todayās climate) no one
Knows for sure
Weather changes
Come November
Brisk winds blow
From the north
Bringing much needed
Precipitation to feed the ground
Just at the time we feed
Our souls with holiday joy
Ā© Draft, Carol Labuzzetta, 2024.
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The Apples in My Orchard 
Wow! 16.5 hours?! Sounds exhausting! Glad to hear your dad is doing better and that you’ll return to spend the holidays with him. Enjoyed the lovely poem and snow photo. Thanks for hosting this week!!
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Thanks so much! I appreciate your comments. I was exhausted but am feeling better today!
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Feeling for you Carol. That sounds like a load on both heart and body. (Thankyou for hosting the roundup during this especially busy time.) Your poem shows that you’re still looking for the joy.Ā I hope you find it in abundance.
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Thanks so much! The situation has weighed heavy on me both physically and mentally. I have been emotionally drained and did not realize how much until I got home. I will find the joy I seek, I know it.
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Thank you for hosting us during this busy time, Carol. You are doing well, don’t forget to give yourself a pat on the back sometimes! Yes to feeding our souls!
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Thanks, Tabatha! I appreciate your reminder to be good to myself and tell myself I did a good job. Sometimes it’s nice to hear it from others – but if I don’t – I have the permission to tell myself.
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Transitions in different quarters of your life, Carol. That was a mammoth car trip and it has caused you to reflect and contemplate a change. Our lives are reflective of nature, constantly undergoing both subtle and significant change. May you settle in a place of inner peace.
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Thank you, Alan. You always know the right thing to say – and I am very nature oriented so I feel you are correct, that our lives reflect nature and its changes. It will all be okay – and as always – no matter what, life will go on.
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Thanks for sharing, Matt!
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I completely relate to your poem and your issues with your dad – as an only child, I had to navigate failing health with both of my parents on my own and it was overwhelming at times. Just remember to give yourself some grace and allow yourself time to recuperate when you need to.
Thank you for hosting, too!
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Thank you, Matt. Our family is small. Both my parents were only children and I see that was hard on both of them and my sister and I as they got older. I can see how it would be extremely difficult to deal with the aging of your parents by yourself. No matter my frustrations with my sister – I do appreciate what she is trying to do for my dad. I am remembering to be good to myself – especially as we have this break at home.
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It’s such a tough time. I’m hoping you’ll take a few more days in your PJ’s writing poems and taking great pictures of the outdoors (through your window, of course). Thanks so much for hosting. I’m sending you a vibe of energy to keep going!
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Thanks, Linda. Your ideas are great – and maybe, I will spend another day or two in my jammies. Today, I felt better – recovered from the trip – and attended to retrieving mail and grocery shopping as well as a lunch out with my husband. I appreciate your positive vibe and will use it when most needed! š
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Carol–wow 16.5 hours is a LOT! This must be such a stressful time. I’m glad you had a pajama day! Thank you for hosting.
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Thanks, Marcie. Today was better. My stress level is lower and I’m trying to just enjoy being home right now.
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The drive I’ve been making to my folks’ place is only 25 minutes, Carol, but every time I go things seem different–like I might as well have driven 930 miles. You and your husband are hardy souls! I hope you had that wonderful folder with you. Thanks for sharing your transitions poem, and for hosting all of us.
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It’s a hard time for sure, Heidi. I’m coping okay. It’s so difficult to see parents age, isn’t it? We have decided to break the trip into two shorter days instead of the marathon trip from here on out.. My folder was not with me – it was from my writer’s circle days and I came across the photo today while I was looking for something else. Good to hear from you! Thanks, again.
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I am in awe of that 16-hour-plus trip, Carol. We used to drive around 14 hours to get to mid-Missouri & that was plenty! I’m glad to read you had pajamas and a nap for a reward! And, long-distance care-giving is so hard. I’ve been there in the past, but it’s good to hear your father is doing better and you’ll be able to spend the holidays with him! Thanks for the poem of hope and the nurturing way you showed ‘feed’ for the soul and for the world plus for hosting at the end of your very busy week!
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Thank you for your lovely poem and photos Carol! I really like the decorated folder for poem drafts– fun! Wishing you and your family well in your journey of caregiving and finding new ways of being.
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So glad you made it home safely, Carol. I hope you are able to get some rest and enjoy the holidays despite the worries. You are in my thoughts.
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Thank you for hosting us, and for taking care of yourself. You know the rules — your oxygen mask has to go on first. Best wishes for your dad’s continued improvement.
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We are at similar crossroads ~ my dad is 5 hours away, but it takes a day in the journey by the time the packing and driving and settling is done. Your poem is lovely, reminding us that even rain or snow is a silver lining and a needed gift for the earth.
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Yay for your pajama day! Wishing you peace as you continue to move through this season. Thank you so much for hosting!
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Oh, Carol. I could not imagine driving 16.5 hours and with weather issues, as well. I’ve always been too old for that kind of driving! I’m glad to hear you made it back safely, and hooray for much-needed self-care the next day. Your poem really shows the juxtaposition of the cold weather and the warmth of holidays. Thank you for hosting.
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Oh, Carol, yes to feeding your soul with some holiday joy. You deserve it! You also deserve more than one day in pajamas and more than one three-hour nap. Take care of yourself!
Oof, 16.5 hours! I don’t think I could do it. Wishing you some nurturing and recovery time. xo
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Carol
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Aging parents and traveling so far is hard! I’m glad you are taking care of yourself. Lovely poem and photo. Thanks for hosting.
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Thanks for hosting during such a busy and challenging time for you. You and hubby are made of sturdy stuff. I believe a 16.5 hour drive in one day deserves several pajama days.
Take good care of you and enjoy the time with your dad for the holidays.
Lovely poem!
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Carol, I’m glad you’re back home and able to find space and time to rejuvenate. Caring for an ill parent across the distance is a heavy, exhausting experience. Add in that crazy drive and I think you might need more than one full day in your PJs. Your father is fortunate to have both you and your sister. Thank you for sharing your poem and for hosting this week. Sorry to be late to the party!
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