SENDING THEM OFF TO SCHOOL by Ruth Calder Murphy

 Motherhood has changed me. It has taught me more than any other single thing - about Creativity, about Time and about Divinity...

Creativity is very important to me. It is water and air to me. If I can’t create, I’m like a fish out of water and, even in the constant turnover of mothering days, I need time out, to paint and to write. 

~But, what I’ve also learned, is that 

motherhood is quintessentially creative.~ 

Art by Kat Ward

First, it creates a brand new life, then, it births brand new moments, perspectives, lessons. It helps us - parents and children - to see the world in new ways and to connect with the Creator, within and without. Motherhood has helped me to see all sorts of things in a new, Creative light.

Then, there’s Time. The passing of time, the juggling of Time and the dawning realisation that Now is all we have. Now. Because every moment is Now. Tomorrow, today will be in the past and only “Now” will remain. One day, I will be old and my children will be elsewhere and then, THAT will be “Now”. This is the lesson I’m learning: To be here, now.

And there’s the lesson of Divinity - of Spirit. My heart strings are interwoven with those of my children - my babies will always be a part of me... yet, I have to let go. My love for them is unconditional; I give them their lives, even as I recognise that in doing so, I’m letting go of pieces of my own heart. At the same time, we are forever connected and in giving away, I am gaining inestimable treasure. This is love. This is Divine.

Painting by Sunny K. Lee

Art by Katie M. Berggren

School

I have three tiny babies,

I love them dearly,

I fill their days with cuddles

and kisses and with ME;

I take them to the playground,

I traipse them round the town

and sing them lovely lullabies

as the sun goes down.

But recently, I’ve noticed,

they’re not around so much.

suddenly there’s space and time

for thoughts - and tea - and such.

I breathe the gentle silence,

enjoy Creative Space...

but there are times when I just miss

my babies, round the place.

I wouldn’t mind so much, I think,

if Time had played more fair -

but no, it seems no sooner born

than they’re no longer there.

I know the culprit, and approve -

I’ll play it by the rule

and know that it’s not terrible

to send them off to school...

But still, I see the memories,

and wonder when they passed,

turning babies into children -

and how it went SO FAST.

Art by Patti Windhorst

Ruth Calder Murphy is a writer, artist, music teacher, wife and mother living in London, UK. Her life is wonderfully full of creativity and low-level chaos. She is the author of one published novel, “The Scream,” several books of poetry and one or two as-yet unpublished novels. She is passionate about celebrating the uniqueness of people, questioning the unquestionable and discovering new perspectives on old wonders. She is learning to ride the waves that come along—peaks and troughs—and is waking up to just how wonderful life really is. You can visit Ruth and view more of her art on her website here, or on her Facebook page. Her latest book is available on Amazon here, and here. 

~If you are interested in seeing your poetry appear in this blog, or submitting a poem by a woman that has inspired you, please click here for submission guidelines. I greatly look forward to hearing from you!~