" Stand up straight-" Chucks me under the chin.
"And speak only when spoken to-"
I was lucky to get a whiff
of my Mother's perfume,
or a quick press of hands
as my parents sailed out the door.
Gone were lullaby's
stories, back rubs before sleep ...
"Don't forget to practice on those you love, today!"
Believe it or not
When you were raised by arms length parents,
You have to try and remember to reach out
and touch; even ask for hugs!
9 comments:
It is hard to realize when one has parents like this, they still love you very much. I smoother my young ones with kisses and hugs... my older ones don't appreciate it so much any more :)
izzy, this is so foreign to my childhood. Not that I was hugged to death, but hugs were there when needed and "I love you!" rang out all the time. My 55 was about a certain type of dysfunction caused by a houseful of talkers -- yours is so much the opposite. I loved this, but it made me sad.
I hear you. We rarely got hugs. I have to make myself do them and it's not easy with anyone except my daughter and grandson.
Hugs were part of the death ritual.
Flash 55 - The Accidental Gardener
Izzy, this hit me like a ton of bricks. I'm a hug person but I wasn't raised like that either.
Subtle yet powerful story.
Loved your stand-offish 55
Thanks for this great contribution
Thanks for your GREAT support, and have a Kick Ass Week-End
you are wise in your closing words...a world without touch would be so hollow...so lonely....felt this...
I'm the opposite. I was raised to cuddle.
Yes, arm's length is as bad as slaps, and scolds as bad as spankings sometimes--we learn so much from our parents, especially about how(not) to love.
I had a very unhealthy family dynamic so I had to learn this as well and how to trust which is very difficult. I am lucky to have found my husband because now I enjoy snuggles. Beautifully written and very sad, this really choked me up
(HUG)
Post a Comment