The Swing

I often go to my backyard and sit on my swing. I go for many reasons: to warm my body in the sun, to take a break from house chores, to get some peace and quiet from the noise in the house. Most of the time I end up thinking. I love my swing. My husband built the arbor the swing is hanging from for me. I can recall as long as I have been with my husband, he has always made sure I had a swing and knows how much I enjoy just sitting, swinging ever so gently.

I wanted to post a poem with a photo of my swing. I wasn't happy with any that I found. My mind was too cluttered with thoughts of everything going on in my life to conjure up a poem myself on demand.

I have been witnessing Corey's journey with her dad's illness. It has brought back so many feelings and memories with losing my dad. I don't think you ever get over something like this. I believe you learn to live with the experience of losing someone so close to you and your soul grows through loss if you are willing to let it. I also realize we all grieve in different ways; not to say grieving one way is right or wrong.

And sometimes, when the cry is intense, there emerges a radiance which elsewhere seldom appears: a glow of courage, of love, of insight, of selflessness, of faith. In that radiance we see best what humanity was meant to be... In the valley of suffering, despair and bitterness are brewed. But there also character is made. The valley of suffering is the vale of soul-making.

Nicholas Wolterstorff


When looking for a poem... I did come across The Swing video trailer on YouTube (check it out ~ it is short). It's a book of poems looking through a father's eyes documenting intimate moments with his daughter from birth into adolescence and contemplates the challenges, sacrifices, and rewards for all parents and children. I thought about my dad and then Corey's, and what they must have felt about us not leaving their side. I couldn't imagine being anywhere else.

When Corey spoke about her dad, I thought of my own and felt like I knew her's. My heart grieves for both Corey and her family and my prayers are with them.