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What I Gave

Thirty-four years of fist fights and screaming fits; threats of killing, suicide; public embarrassments. In front of my husband and son they crossed a line. What I gave them was a piece of my mind. "I am done with this." "We should part ways." I said, "Before someone ends up seriously hurt, or dead." I felt no sadness. I couldn't shed a tear. To think about it; I gave them 15 years. I went to see them, knowing their health was bad. Prayer and apologies from me, Mom and Dad. Things are better after our long time apart. Peace of mind for fifteen years; lost.... a piese of my heart. With great sadnes, of disfunction I tell. For giving and losing..... the balance scale. July 01, 2014 Contest: What I gave Sponsor: Sheri Fresonke Harper

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D.W. Rodgers

Date: 7/18/2014 8:42:00 PM

Sad but powerful, revealing inner strength, thanks for sharing. Congrats on you win.

Arlene Smith
Date: 7/18/2014 8:50:00 PM

Thank you, Dave my friend.. Nice of you to stop by.. Hugs.. Arlene

Faye Gibson

Date: 7/14/2014 1:41:00 PM

Great write, Arlene. Sometimes it so difficult to draw the boundaries when the people are so close to us, Congratulations on your placement in the contest.

Arlene Smith
Date: 7/14/2014 2:31:00 PM

Thank you so much, dear Faye! Hugs.. Arlene

Paul Callus

Date: 7/14/2014 9:14:00 AM

This is strong and expressive, Arlene! When a line is crossed it's best to keep the distance, for as long as need be, otherwise things could only get worse. Making up is a reward in itself; time has a way with healing wounds. The scars?...well, they have their uses, too! Congrats on your fine win. // paul

Arlene Smith
Date: 7/14/2014 2:30:00 PM

Paul, I cannot express how greatful I am for your very helpful words here.. Thank you, my friend from the bottom of my heart.. Hugs.. Arlene

Dr. Upma A. Sharma

Date: 7/14/2014 5:27:00 AM

Beautiful write Arlene ! It really needs courage to take bold steps,, glad u cud,, hats off to u ,, congrats on big win!

Arlene Smith
Date: 7/14/2014 2:28:00 PM

Thank you so much, dear Dr. Upma! Hugs.. Arlene

Robert Johnson

Date: 7/10/2014 9:07:00 PM

Profound generosity of soul in this. And quite brave. Peace. :)

Arlene Smith
Date: 7/10/2014 9:24:00 PM

This one took the wind out of my sails for a few days, but it was good to get it out.. Thank you my friend.. Hugs.. Arlene

Robert Lindley

Date: 7/10/2014 8:15:00 PM

A very emotional and well written piece my friend! Always better to leave such strife behind sooner rather than later. Glad you have done well since then.. BBravoooooo on the write!!!!

Arlene Smith
Date: 7/10/2014 8:44:00 PM

thank you, Robert my friend.. Hugs.. Arlene

Lucilla Carrillo

Date: 7/8/2014 7:07:00 PM

To live something like this is not easy. You came out of all that. Thank God that things are now better. Sometimes it has been said that it is better to have a good divorce than a bad Marriage. Thanks for sharing... Lucilla

Arlene Smith
Date: 7/9/2014 6:37:00 AM

Dear Lucilla, I so much appreciate your words here, especially the good divorce. So true.. Hugs my friend.. Arlene

Sara Kendrick

Date: 7/8/2014 6:28:00 AM

Expressive and emotive work that you have penned for the contest..Reads like winning material to me..Thanks for the visit to my page..It is sad that some homes are filled with dysfunction or turmoil or rage or abuse or illegal drug use, etc. but it still does happen..Have a great day..Sara

Kelly Deschler

Date: 7/8/2014 12:56:00 AM

We have had situations like this in my family and it is such a sad thing. Sometimes, those old issues can never get resolved. Even our closest relatives need time apart from us, and that time can sometimes be too long.... This poem was very expressive and well written! Good luck in the contest, Arlene!

Vera Duggan

Date: 7/7/2014 7:43:00 PM

Arlene, how sad this is and so well written, we are not suppose to hate our parents but in some cases we do, I do not know because I had a good relationship with mine, so glad everything is fine with you now, take care my dear...........Vera...........

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 7/7/2014 7:32:00 PM

This is a sad tale, I am glad you made emends. Unfortunately the years cannot be reclaimed but piece of mind can be reclaimed.

David Williams

Date: 7/6/2014 4:41:00 PM

Arlene ..honest, brave, true, relative, empathy, memories, love, hate, sadness, escapism... David

Arlene Smith
Date: 7/7/2014 2:26:00 PM

Thank you, David, my friend for your comments.. Yes, all the above.. Hugs.. Arlene

Jack Horne

Date: 7/5/2014 3:37:00 PM

heartfelt write, my friend

Arlene Smith
Date: 7/7/2014 2:22:00 PM

Thank you for stopping by, Jack, my friend!.. Hugs.. Arlene

Jeremy Street

Date: 7/4/2014 9:14:00 PM

Ahhh Humanity, Sigh....KLove *

Arlene Smith
Date: 7/7/2014 2:21:00 PM

Yes, it is an odd thing sometimes.. Hugs, Jeremy, my friend.. Arlene

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 7/2/2014 5:19:00 AM

- So heartbreaking and touching "gift" - a poem that are written with your soul Arlene - Good luck in the contest. - Wish you a nice day. - oxox // Anne-Lise :)

Arlene Smith
Date: 7/2/2014 6:01:00 AM

Thank you so much, sweet Anne Lise. It was what it was and now it is good. I got it out and now I shall write about happier things.. Hugs, my friend.. Arlene

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 7/2/2014 1:26:00 AM

wow, they sound a bit like my husband's parents. Some really crazy stuff in his family and I am so thankful we live far away from them. It's sad for you but better that you in the long run to be out of their lives. Good heart felt poem!

Arlene Smith
Date: 7/2/2014 5:57:00 AM

Hey, Andrea, my friend! It only took standing up to them and letting them know I wouldn't be around their bull anymore. Their health has given them pause now. They are very different and we see each other all the time. We are all of our experiences and I think I turned out OK. Lol.. Hugs.. Arlene

Richard Palmer

Date: 7/1/2014 9:59:00 PM

the facts of life,great write Arlene,I felt the sadness,best wishes in the contest

Arlene Smith
Date: 7/2/2014 5:37:00 AM

Thank you, Richard! It is against my beliefs to discuss giving as in alms, so I went another direction. Everything we do is a giving of ourselves in some way.. All is smiles now.. Hugs, my friend.. Arlene

Arthur Vaso

Date: 7/1/2014 9:18:00 PM

Very sad this is a reality for many, but how nice to express this in a poem for all to understand! To bad the ones who need to understand , most likely are not poets!

Arlene Smith
Date: 7/2/2014 5:31:00 AM

So true, Arthur my friend. I wish I had written a long time ago. It is very therapeutic, but I think it would have been too dark and that isn't me. I am actually a very humorous person!.. :-) .. Hugs.. Arlene

Jack Clark

Date: 7/1/2014 8:44:00 PM

The road of a shared life starts out so well ... by the time the speed bumps and pot holes have become countless - it's time for the off ramp. It sounds as if you've found yours - and I'm glad. A telling write, and a darned good one. Jack C

Arlene Smith
Date: 7/1/2014 9:05:00 PM

Thank you so much for your words here, Jack my friend.. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger. I'm a pretty tough lil cookie.. Lol.. I am very happy and very grateful.. Hugs buddy.. Arlene

Robert Nehls

Date: 7/1/2014 8:16:00 PM

Lots of turmoil there, Arlene. Sounds like some really hard times. Sounds like you did the right thing. Hard to do but you saved the family a lot of pain. Bless you my friend... Robert.

Arlene Smith
Date: 7/1/2014 8:25:00 PM

Thank you, Robert.. It was difficult, and there were good times too.. The good was good, but the bad was horrible. Lol.. I have learned to laugh at almost anything.. It is goo d for the soul. All is well now and I am thankful to have peaceful times with them... Hugs, my friend.. Arlene

Debbie Guzzi

Date: 7/1/2014 4:17:00 PM

Yes we must all come to peace with family or go the grave in unrest. Light & Love

Arlene Smith
Date: 7/1/2014 4:30:00 PM

So true, Debbie, my friend. We play the hand we are dealt, but sometimes we have to know when to fold.. Take a break.. Love and hugs to you.. Arlene