This may be my mother’s last move. We fold old years into new boxes; rearrange the past to fit the present. But somewhere, in some bit of time-space, the what was, still is. I stare at a painting on her wall. There’s a small red figure among the winter birch trees. Have I never noticed it before, or have I forgotten? It has always been there. I see it now.
Silvered bare branches
in moonlight they dream of spring–
leaves fall, new buds bloom
A Haibun for dVerse, where Björn has asked us to write about a beginning.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Oh, so lovely and delicate. Yet it’s moving, not sitting still and waiting for the end. There’s a sense of achievement in it, something a little bit heroic.
Thank you very much. That’s a lovely comment. I hope this move works out. We’re all a bit anxious. . .
I’m sure you are. If she’s reduced to one room, as she says, then a new room might be interesting. Who knows? It’s a sort of progression and a discarding of all the old stuff that doesn’t mean much in the end.
We never managed to move my mother before she had turned so bad she couldn’t leave her home… so everything was left as she left it…
I’m sorry. I’m not sure which situation is better. We thought my mom was going to die over the summer after she had a stroke. . .it’s all horrible.
This is so moving, Merril. isn’t it funny how we take certain things for granted?
I hope she adapts to her new room… hearts and hugs to you all.
Thanks so much, Dale. ❤
❤
Your mother and your family are in my prayers, Merril. Take care of yourself.
Thank you very much, Jill. I hope you’re feeling better.
I am, thank you. xo
Very pretty. Another wonderful mother thought like Bjorn
Thank you very much.
I understand the “fading,” Merril. As you say, leaves fall, new buds bloom . . . memories hold fast, linger – the precious paintings remain.
I’m glad you are not alone in these moves, very painful.
I know you understand, Marian. Thank you very much.
I like it … Peace to you.
Thank you, Frank. 🙂
“folding old years into new boxes” what a great line. the small red figure is a perfect metaphor for your haibun
Thank you so much, Jade. I’m so pleased you found the line and haibun effective.
YW!
🙂
Sometimes, after time had, passed, we come to notice, things, we, never, noticed before…
So true. Thank you.
O my goodness Merril. I hope the move goes well. Strange how it is that we see whatever it is, a red item in this instance that has always been there, only at the last moment. All best wishes to your Mother and you all in this move –
Thank you so much, Susan! All the best to you and your family in the new year!
Your Haiku “beginning” is superb imagery of springs new start…
Thank you so much. I appreciate that you stopped by and left a lovely comment!
My pleasure Merrill
I’m with you in this melancholic piece and poem. We’ve moved my mom four times in the past five years, each place for the additional care she’s needed, each room a bit smaller. Now, she has no paintings left on her walls, just a bulletin board that we set up with photos of her family and of her in younger years. She doesn’t understand these photos, but it helps us to look at them when we visit, and I think it helps the staff to understand who this woman once was. Peace to you, your mom, and your family, my friend.
Thank you very much, Pam. It is so difficult to see a loved one fade, and sad that some people only know them as someone like that. I like that you have that reminder to staff of who your mom was. My mom is not at that stage yet, but she definitely is not who she was.
My your mom always know who she is, deep inside, where it really matters. I think no matter how much we fade, we are still connected with our inside being.
I hope so. That’s a lovely thought.
Poignant but also hopeful. It was so hard moving my mother after my father died. It seems there is no easy way to approach death. (K)
No, you’re right. There doesn’t. Thank you.
May this stage be as peaceful as possible
Thank you, Derrick.
every word in this whole piece works together with no unnecessary gestures
Thank you! That is very kind.
This is beautiful, Merril, and very moving. So much of life is hard. And yet, there is still beauty (which you clearly see). There is no easy answer to this stage of life.
Thank you very much, Robin. No, there isn’t, and the systems we have do not work very well.
This is a very difficult and trying situation. Hope all works out for the family. I specially adore the haiku, dreaming of spring.
Thank you so much, Grace.
Such gripping nostalgia Merril. ❤️
Thank you, Rene! ❤
Oh Merril, my heart goes out to you. It’s so difficult. I went through much of the same with my mom. She lived with us for 8 years, and then her care became too great and we were left with no other choice than a home where she could be cared for. I understand your torment and sadness. Sending you and your family light and love.
Thank you very much, Linda. It’s been difficult. My mom is in independent living now, but we’ve been paying for aides and taking shifts. . .hoping she likes the new place.
First – apologies for the late read. I posted on Monday and then got to packing and organizing and arranging…as we flew from Boston to San Diego yesterday. We are in a rental here for the next two months to escape Boston winter for a bit.
I LOVE this haibun. Most especially these words We fold old years into new boxes; rearrange the past to fit the present.” For those of us who have had the parenting role shift…to parent our ageing parents including moving them into a place closer to us (or assisted living etc)…this is just a beautiful statement. It marks a new beginning that gets ever closer to an ending we know will come.
No need to apologize, Lillian. We are all so busy, and it takes time to read and comment. Yes, those Boston winters! The first year my daughter lived there was a really bad one. Enjoy your time in San Diego. Thank you for the kind words. We moved my mom into her independent living apartment about 7 years ago–just before she turned 90–not really thinking we’d be moving her again.
beautiful. loved that beginning prose and the haiku was wxcellent
Thank you very much!
Beautifully written, Merrill. Moving is a traumatic experience, particularly when you are older.
Thank you so much. Yes, moving is definitely stressful!
You (especially) and your family (including your mom) are in my heart. I cannot imagine how it feels for you to go through this slow decline with your mom. Your narrative and poem are both so beautiful, so poignant, so succinctly expressed so every word counts. I love every phrase, every word. My mom still lives independently although there are of course limits and, at least when she’s in NY, she has the good fortune to have several of my cousins as well as a couple of my siblings tending to her needs, essentially enabling her to live alone (it indeed takes a village). But she is becoming more frail. I hear it in her voice, and in her own acknowledgment that she can do less and less. Her world is becoming very small. She’s fine with that so far, but I wonder how far. She had a urinary tract infection several weeks ago and had to be hospitalized. The infection was cleared up but before then she told my sister she was ready to die. I think she still is, it’s just a matter of when and how. We (as well as herself) have taken her good physical and mental health for granted all these years. The UTI was a wake-up call, but I think everyone is becoming complacent again. Maybe she’ll continue to surprise us, but I worry about her quality of life. Well, you have much greater worries. I hope the move went well and your mom adjusts in time. Again, holding you all close in my heart.
Thank you so much for your kind words. My mom’s move is coming up in a few days. I hope it goes OK and that she adjusts to the new place without too many problems. It seems there is some crisis involving her care or the move every day.
I’m so sorry that you’re facing this–long distance–with your mom. I guess UTIs are very common. My mom was tested a few times, but never had one. I hope your mom is feeling better and also feeling better about her life. We really thought my mom was going to die last summer, but now we’re pretty much convinced she’s going to outlive all of us.
And on a different note–I’m trying to remove the period from your middle initial on the page proofs each time your name appears. 🙂 I hope this works. (There are some things the copyeditor did not catch. . .).
Oh, don’t go to any trouble about my middle initial. It’s weird, I know, but legally it shouldn’t be a problem 🙂
🙂