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Sledding

Saturday morning…soup in the crockpot,

wholegrain bread rising, birdseed scattered

on the snowy porch. Cat at the window

watching cardinals, jays, and finches!

Sunday afternoon…packing a picnic,

dressing in long johns, boots, and mittens.

Daughter excited! Driving up the mountain

to George Washington National Forest.

Building a fire, soup pot on the grill.

Sledding downhill, trudging uphill,

sledding down again. Cheeks red with cold,

ice-matted sleeves, jeans wet at the knees.

Steaming mugs of homemade soup,

homemade wholegrain bread.

Sitting tired and happy at a picnic table,

laughing, talking…making memories!

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Copyright© 2020 by Cheryl Batavia

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Parenthood

Child in agony.

Parent watching powerless

to take pain away.

We share children’s pain…

from scraped knees to tragedies

to their misspent years.

If we didn’t love,

we wouldn’t feel the anguish…

wouldn’t share the joys!

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Copyright 2020 by Cheryl Batavia

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Hello, everyone! It’s so good to be back! 🙂 I have a new computer battery. Two new features, Archives and Categories, have been added to my site. Just click “Archives” at the top of the menu next to the folder icon, and you will find both of them there.

Over the next few days, I’ll be catching up on my emails. I know I’ll find some gems! ❤ All the best! Cheryl

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Blue & White Mugs

Blue and white souvenir mugs

in our Miami Beach drug store…

art deco and wildlife scenes…

I bought four!

The kids grew; we planned to travel…

They wanted to help push Dad’s chair.

I looked forward to collecting

blue and white mugs from everywhere!

A three-generation Carribean cruise…

Dad’s last-minute illness caused cancellation.

We scheduled a Carribean cruise

for our family vacation.

I spent a night in the hospital with Dad…

They failed to draw blood despite many tries.

Dad checked himself out before daybreak;

we drove to the beach and watched the sunrise.

Then we went home to pack our bags

for the final voyage of the Norway…

Mom, Dad, and kids sailed that afternoon.

We had decided to “seize the day!”

The kids and I snorkeled. Our family

explored islands, listened to steel bands,

dressed for dinner, went to shows…

and we bought a mug, as I had planned.

The Batavia Family aboard the Norwegian Ship, Norway

Dad died within the year. I put the

Carribean mug where it wouldn’t break,

fragile, precious souvenir of the

only family cruise we would ever take!

Years later, I retired to the Gulf coast.

Just one Miami Beach mug remained

when we moved to our new house.

I thought about putting that mug away…

I chose to use both irreplaceable mugs…

I have tea with my memories every day.

One day the mugs may break,

and that will be okay!

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Copyright© 2020 by Cheryl Batavia

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Fields of Fantasy

Go to sleep, my child…

Roam in fields of fantasy,

swim in streams of dreams.

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Copyright© 2020 by Cheryl Batavia

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Miami Beach

Sunshine on waves is an exciting show

for our daughter Katey and our son Joe.

Miami Beach is the perfect place to swim!

Mom and Dad keep an eye on them.

Zooming by slower folks is just great

for two little daredevils on roller skates!

It’s the nineties. Skating is all the rage

for rollerbladers of every age.

The warm sea breezes are pure delight.

We’re dining on Ocean Drive tonight…

pizza and ice cream in a sidewalk cafe,

people passing in an endless parade.

Coming in, like a wave, is a happy mood.

We’re listening to music and feeling good.

Mom and Dad still have dessert to eat…

Joe and Katey are dancing in the street!

Reprinted from Life in Inspiring Places

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Copyright 2019© by Cheryl Batavia

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Our family lived in Miami Beach for seven years in a 1940 Art Deco style house. We christened our house, inhabited by a dog and two very active children, “Bedlam on the Beach.” Miami Beach is a wonderful city with beautiful beaches, historic Art Deco buildings, great restaurants, and lots of interesting things to do.

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To My Forebears

I want to call you,

Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, and Dad,

when I have good news.

I want to call you

and hear you say one more time,

“I’m so proud of you!”

I want to tell you, “Thank you

for helping me on my way!”

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Copyright© 2020 by Cheryl Batavia