by Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet

Striving

Milestones of life vary, but birth is the first milestone of life.
Photo by Beau Horyza from Unsplash

Striving

Leaving the serenity of the womb at birth,

we strive all our days upon the earth.

Photo by Luis Arias from Unsplash

Babbling syllables, learning to talk,

clinging to furniture, learning to walk.

Studying hard to get good reports,

practicing endlessly to excel in sports.

At the library borrowing a book.

In the kitchen learning to cook.

Photo by Tai Ngo from Unsplash

At the mall shopping for formal dress;

going to the prom, we want to impress.

Rigorous program at our chosen college

to optimize our skills and knowledge.

Preparing for the race to be run,

getting ready for our place in the sun.

Photo by Sabesh Photography from Unsplash

Finding a paragon to share our life,

a partnership of husband and wife.

Striving endlessly to make a living,

bringing up responsible offspring.

Saving money for when we retire,

making a will in case we expire.

Photo by Engin Akyurt from Unsplash

Visiting a spa to regain our youth,

Time with grandchildren, sharing our truth.

Appointments with doctors, seeking a cure,

Diets and exercise we endure.

Enjoying photos from the past,

remembering moments from first to last.

Photo by Luca Upper from Unsplash

Then comes the day our striving is done…

We journey peacefully into the unknown.

Copyright© 2021 by Cheryl Batavia

81 Comments

  7. You shared a complete life story through beautiful photos. Your words have taste of the joyful moments in life. Those feelings must be very strong. Time passes quickly, memories are like printed words, you can’t erase them.

    “Striving”crafts the basic outline of life. Below rhyme won my heart –

    Finding a paragon to share our life,
    a partnership of husband and wife. ❤️

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  10. This is beautiful and moving Cheryl! It’s true that we strive all our lives. But sometimes it is good to pause and reflect before moving on, as you have done here 😊❤️

    Liked by 3 people

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  13. Covered the cycle of life. Striving at every step of life. Accepting the highs and lows. Tired retire to a peaceful place unknown. So much of following the created steps. Why not live the way the heart desires. (my thought went with the flow)

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    1. Kritika, thank you for your thoughtful comment. Of course, every life is unique. We choose our own goals and milestones, and sometimes circumstances and misfortunes intervene. This post is not intended as a plan to follow…these are just examples of what many people strive for. We must each find our own way.

      I certainly did not follow the “created steps” in my life…not allowed to attend the prom, unable to attend my own university graduations, no grandchildren, no fiftieth wedding anniversary…but I have had a wonderful life. 🙂

      Kritika, as you follow your own path and strive for your chosen goals, I wish you a joyous and fulfilling life. You richly deserve it! ❤ ❤ ❤

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  16. That about sizes it up. A beautifully written and illustrated journey of a normal life. I hesitated to use the word “normal”. It is used here to mean a blessing compared, for example, to those unfortunate ones burdened with extreme poverty.

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    1. Thank you, David, for sharing your perspective. Your thoughtful and thought-provoking response is very much appreciated.

      Perhaps these life events could be described as “typical,” as we all have different circumstances and goals. For example, although I have three children, I will probably never have grandchildren.

      I do feel compassion for those who live in poverty or suffer misfortunes, and maybe we have an obligation to write about that as well.

      Have a great day! ❤

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  19. what a cracker of a poem Cheryl, you describe it so well … life of the middle class! Appreciate your variety of ppl in the pics … blessed are those who manage such a life 🙂

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  20. What a beautiful poem that as if cradled all the moments from our birth to passing on, flashing like a movie to be seen and lived – I wonder how much we can discover the miracles that this life actually is, while most things can look the same, how deeply and truly we live in the moments that have us experience the magic that life is …before we step in to the unknown. Beautiful post with the variety of photos!

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    1. Thank you so much, Pragalba, for your kind words and thoughtful perspective. ❤ We can certainly try to live in the moment. Past experiences can guide us as we make decisions and plans for the future, but the moment is the only place we can actually live. So glad you enjoyed the post.

      Have a great day! ❤

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  22. Your sweet summary reminds me of how thankful I am that much of my striving is in the past. Now, it’s time to enjoy the moments we can and cherished memories and photos.

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    1. JoAnna, I agree with you. I too am thankful that the major tasks and decisions of life are behind me. I still strive, but I am my own boss. That, to me, is an upside of growing older. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughtful perspective. Glad you enjoyed the poem. ❤ Take care.

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  25. What a beautiful, sentimental poem. Life always seems much more simple when explained in this way, it kind of makes you wonder what all of the stress and worries are good for when in the end – we simply start life, live it, then die. Every moment is precious. Beautiful words like these remind me to cling to every ounce of happiness that can be found as the days go by so thank you so much for writing this.

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    1. Thank you, Serena, for sharing your thoughts. If we can remember to live in the moment and, as you say, “cling to every ounce of happiness,” we will have a very full life. I am so glad that you like the poem! Have a wonderful day!
      ❤ ❤ ❤

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  32. Life is a journey, filled with many wonderful moments, and much that we do not know until we experience it. You have captured the uncertainty of life, within the realms of love and hope we find as we take that journey. Thank you for this poem, Cheryl. 😊

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