For my Grandfather, Woodrow Hawkins:
Seven years old, I rode
by my Papa in that big
Ford truck. His little June bug.
Jabbering away, too innocent
to notice the light fading away.
Foreshadowing the colder
hours that would settle over our
little house at the foothills of the
mountains. The oppressive chill
of loss, the darkening.
On that day, all I saw was green
with an undertow of adventure.
Happy to be with the first man
my soul ever loved.
Before the heart condition.
Before the heart attack.
Before I mistook the hour.
Before his death.
Before my Granny’s tears.
Before I knew the pain of grief.
Before the road before us
became the road behind us,
and I wasn’t old enough to
understand letting go.
And that everyone’s here
until one day they’re not.
The days of homemade ice cream,
piggyback rides, warm breezes
and my papa’s unconditional love.
When one precious moment merged
into another. Drinking lightness in
the light. Dizzy with lightness.
The gathering of the light as it
fell from the sky.
And thinking there’d still be
time to pour more.
And now I’ve lived long enough
to look back, to reflect;
and yearn for, even beg for,
the before, the sweet bliss
of not knowing what I would
come so desperately to miss.
-Tosha Michelle
Simply beautiful!
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Thank you!
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How truly beautiful!!
I’m sure he would be proud of the lady that grew!
See, no snark! How. Rude.
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Clearly, you are feverish. Anyway, thank you. My Papa spoiled me rotten. He couldn’t go anywhere without me. I didn’t understand why I couldn’t go to the pool hall with him. Oh the fits I would pitch. One time I snuck in the back of the truck, when he found me, he wasn’t mad he just took me and bought me an ice cream. He was a good man. Died much too young. xx
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Sounds like a prize. Ya cock. X
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At least I know how to use mine. Why does this always get weird?
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Because you make it so, ya big freak of nature! Haha
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Yes, well I like it weird. Sue me!
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Apparently so! I met this horse who said you had broken his mind and riding ability!
Now we are into weird territory!! Haha
Weirdo!!
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Are you sure it wasn’t a jackass instead who’s calls himself CpSingleton?
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Thank you for sharing this.
My heart goes out to you. I’m both sorry for your loss, and happy for you that you had this precious soul in your life to cherish, for the time you did. Memories are the blessing that now remains. Again, thank you for taking us with you through this special journey. ❤
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Thank you for your kind words xx
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❤
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Beautiful.
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Thank you.
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Beautifully written.
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Thank you!
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Oh my gosh, tears in my eyes! That was a perfect tribute, Tosha…
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Thank you so much. My papa’s has a huge impact on me. His was the first death I had ever experienced. I was eight when he passed. I still tear up thinking about him and it’s been ages. xx
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I can imagine. Loved it xxoo
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Thank you xx
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What a beautiful write on the pain of loss mixed with a sense of loss of innocence as well. I am sure you know the story of Buddha – Gautama who was a prince who fulfilled his destiny the day he came to experience the pain of suffering and loss as he was meant to. There is something all at once heartbreaking and heartwarming about understanding the greater picture behind loss. Somehow you’ve captured both despite the sadness
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Thank you. What a beautiful comment.
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Welcome dear, xoxo
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Wonderful tribute. He’d have loved it.
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Thank you xx
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a lovely tribute Tosha…I think they live on as long as we remember!
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Thank you. I hope so xo
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Surely! I too had such wonderful granddad, he and my grandmother raised me for the most part. I still miss him very much but have such sweet memories. I am sure he knew your heart was and is full of love for him.xo
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It sounds like we had similar upbringings. Grandparents can truly be such a blessing.
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yeah ❤
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Lovely words and song. Thanks for sharing, Tosha. Love. xo
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Thanks for reading. Lots of love xo
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I’ll always be here to read. I just might write about my papa one day, too. Love.
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Thank you. I hope you do xo
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Tosha, I love it – thank you for sharing this – I am smiling! 🙂
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Terry, thank you xo
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Time goes by, sadly our dads passed away (mine too recently), but their love remains in our hearts, every day, as a warm light that protect us and help us in our dark moments.
Beautiful tribute, Tosha.
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Thank you kindly. Sorry about the passing of your father!
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Thank you so much, Tosha. He is always in my mind.
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You’re welcome. Sending love your way
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Loved it, and made me reminisce. You write from the heart and it shows, dear Tosha..
Love you,
Ellie
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Thank you. Love you too xo
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This is truly beautiful.
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Thank you!
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How sad and lovely tribute!
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Thank you!
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This is beautiful, Tosha. Beautiful and sad.
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Josh, thank you.
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Anytime, Tosha.
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Hope you’re having a great weekend
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I am, and now that you took the time to wish me a good weekend it’s even better. It might seem insignificant, but I genuinely appreciate it.
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Awww. You’re welcome. Hope it’s going well and you’re finding some fun to get into
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My heart is breaking for you, my friend…:( My heartfelt condolences..
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Thank you. It happened a long time ago now. xx
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Time doesn’t make the hurt any less severe, we merely learn to live with it.
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That’s very true!
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You couldn’t break that dufuss!
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I wouldn’t want to be honest. I can’t see. The sun’s in my eyes outside now. I’m sporting my Bono look.
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Yay! The Bono look. Ya fly loon! 😉
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My Bono to your Sherlock Holmes look.
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I pull it off!! 😉
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Of course, you did. Can I be Watson?
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No! You can be Mrs Hudson and be happy with that! Haha
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Probably for the best. As a minor character there’s no danger of me upstaging you.
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You would still bloody achieve that, you! Damn!
I tell you what, you can be THE WOMAN! More fitting! Haha
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Nah, too goobly goo. I know. By jove, I think I’ve got it. I’ll be the hat!!!
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“Goobly goo”
There are some many sentences I could write in response to the hat answer!! Christ on a flagpole!! Sooooo many!! You just set me up sometimes, I’m sure of it.
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You call it setting you up. I call it giving you inspiration.
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You are such a giver!! 😊
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You have no idea.
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That’s what my teachers used to say. And then make me go stand outside the classroom.
I fear they maybe been correct.
If you need me I’ll be just outside.
Now and I again I will look through the narrow window and make faces. Ciao!
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See ya, Sherlock
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See ya, hat!
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Not if I see you first.
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well that didn’t happen, because I just passed you in the street!
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Gosh darn you. Well if I had seen you just know I would have run out into heavy traffic to avoid even being in the same vicinity as you!!!
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the lady protests too much me thinketh!
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Oh yes…I love you like a fifth cousin twice removed on the redneck side of the family.
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that’s the only way one should be loved! haha
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😉 plus, the only way my black soul knows how!
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black schmack!
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this is so touching, inspirational…
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Thank you!
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So beautiful and heartfelt. What a lovely tribute Tosha.
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Thank you!
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You did your Papa proud with this one. You honor his memory simply by letting more people learn, through your evocations, the man he was to you.
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Thank you so much for your kind words.
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This is absolutely beautiful, Tosha. Your grandfather would, I’m sure, be pleased, proud.
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Thank you so much. xx
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I love how this poem flows with rhythmical emotion
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Matthew, thank you. My soul is in this one.
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Before the pain of loss finds us.
An unconditional love is set in stone, and build a foundation to carry on.
Beautiful, no doubt he’s proud of you.
Call me dark. After the loss of this love. One of my favorite songs became. Abraham Martin & John, by Dion.
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Thank you so much!
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Reblogged this on A Dose of Inspiration and commented:
This is so beautiful! It tugs at my heartstrings. It’s an amazing poem and can apply to not just grief & loss but to all of life. Things are so fleeting. It’s a great reminder to be mindful of and savor all that we have and to cherish the memories . ❤
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Thank you so much!
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A beautiful write. Deep, nostalgic, sad. My dear, I will be hola-ing back a little latr. Thanks. BTW It wAs GREAT
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Thank you, Andrew! Hope the sweet 16 party was a success. xx
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Beautiful 🙂
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Thank you
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Reblogged this on Hope & Love Radio.
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Thank you so much
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Wow; you touched my heart and my tears. Your Grampa looks like my Dad in many ways, and my Dad has also passed on. You just miss ’em more and more. Hope I’m not obvious going out shopping now, with my tear-streaked face… Drat! (hee-hee)
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Bless you. Sorry about your dad. It really doesn’t get easier. Sending love and hugs your way.
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Thank you, really very much. I wish the same and blessings for you.
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You’re welcome xx
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