Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Tremble




I remember: when I was a child, my father’s hands shook, and I was ashamed for him and his lack of strength. I thought when he held the saw, or the screwdriver, or the paint brush, that his hands should be steady and sure. He coached, he taught, he lead, with patience, generosity, and knowledge, but the shaking of those fingers made me afraid.

Years later, I see the tremors in my own hands now. The harder I try to steady them, the more pronounced the trembling becomes. I realize: the weakness and mortality I fear most are my own.

12 comments:

Velvet Verbosity said...

It's an interesting phenomena that we feel so angry at our parents' weaknesses. As though they've failed us and all of humanity by being...human.

I'm sure there's some evolutionary explanation having to do with protection, safety, and resources (i.e. survival).

This was very tender and vulnerable. Very personal and beautifully written. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

a very touching sentiment, and one I think many of us can relate to as we grow older and see life more as our parents would have seen it. Very nicely done, thank you.

I, Rodius said...

Thanks, and thanks for the love. I took the prompt to heart and tried to write something I wouldn't want to say for fear of hurting someone I love and exposing my own fears and weaknesses. It was a great prompt. Oh, and thanks for the Facebook love.

Bo said...

Very well written. I have also found that what bothered me the most about my mom, was what I feared in myself. Great post.

Anonymous said...

Wow. I can relate 100%. This was a really pretty write. I love that you really worked the prompt.

barbara said...

My grandmother used to say "Someday YOU'LL be old and THEN you'll see." How astute she was. Thank you for sharing

barbara said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Tara R. said...

The older I get, the more often I see my mother in my mirror. A very poignant piece.

I, Rodius said...

Thanks, y'all.

Unknown said...

A very poignant piece. I love it and I truly understand the same fear and feeling. Mine is here
Have you a BLESSED WEEK!!!
hugs
shakira

Anonymous said...

Thanks for that - 100 words well spent. : )

Ms. Maggie said...

I agree with the above, poignant is the first thing that came to mind. Like you lay bare your soul.
Those feelings and thoughts we have for our parents are so often left unsaid thanks for sharing.

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