Life as a parent is fraught with worries, negotiations and nagging doubts. It’s also peppered with triumphs and pleasant surprises.
A case in point was when I received a text from my daughter last week. It simply said, “You’ve sacrificed everything for us- I love you- check your account.”
Puzzled, I followed her instructions – then burst into tears. She’d deposited some money into my bank account! I wanted to return it immediately, but she flatly refused.
So, I promptly headed off to buy a pair of much-needed winter boots.
Today, I wore them for the first time to work – marveling at how they gripped our first heavy snowfall. Each footfall was an echo of love and an affirmation of- “you must be doing something right“. I’m looking at them now- with a goofy grin on my face.
Footprints in the snow
A fulfillment of day dreams
Outlines of shared love
©Vivian Zems
(#Haibun)
Frank is hosting dVerse tonight with prompt to write a haibun encompassing the theme ‘pleasantly surprised’.
December 11, 2017 at 8:17 pm
I do love the giving back from a child. To have those boots when you most needed them must be fantastic…
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December 11, 2017 at 9:13 pm
Absolutely ecstatic! 😆😆
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December 11, 2017 at 8:18 pm
That gift is an echo of love as is accepting it. Beautifully described.
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December 11, 2017 at 9:12 pm
Thanks, Frank!
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December 11, 2017 at 8:22 pm
I’d say you DEFINITELY are doing something right! What a sweet, selfless gesture she made. I bet you will be reminded of that simple act every time you wear those boots!
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December 11, 2017 at 9:11 pm
With every step! 😊😊
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December 11, 2017 at 8:46 pm
What a truly lovely story. XXXXXXXX
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December 11, 2017 at 9:06 pm
Thanks, Alison. Were you snowed in too? I’m in London…..and as usual- the gritters were late in some parts.
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December 11, 2017 at 9:08 pm
We escaped, but it has been below freezing all day- but your boots sound lovely. It is definitely boots weather. XX
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December 11, 2017 at 9:15 pm
Dress warm – mulled wine maybe? Thanks- boots are ‘fab’- as my daughter would say😊
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December 11, 2017 at 8:49 pm
Thanks for sharing this…Reading it has made me happy when I was feeling cynical.
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December 11, 2017 at 9:04 pm
I’m glad 😊. True happiness is about appreciating small gestures; I couldn’t buy this gesture will all the money in the world. So I value my boots of a gazillion pounds…or priceless!
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December 11, 2017 at 9:36 pm
I couldn’t agree more, things are just things, until they are touched with love.
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December 11, 2017 at 9:25 pm
It’s my birthday today and I had gifts from thoughtful children to warm me from head to toe. Bliss 🙂
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December 11, 2017 at 9:42 pm
Happy birthday Jane. Have a good one.
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December 11, 2017 at 9:43 pm
Thanks Michael 🙂 It’s been restful and I’ve been warm all day.
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December 11, 2017 at 9:44 pm
I hear its been pretty cold over there….
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December 11, 2017 at 9:46 pm
Some parts have been really cold, like -15°C. It’s around 10°C here, but the house is pretty chilly.
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December 11, 2017 at 9:47 pm
Weird isn’t it, this week we expect temps in the low 40C’s…..
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December 11, 2017 at 9:58 pm
But that’s because you’re upside down and back to front!
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December 11, 2017 at 9:59 pm
Yeah well true. Happy birthday 🎂
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December 11, 2017 at 10:01 pm
Cheers 🙂
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December 12, 2017 at 12:25 am
Happy Birthday Jane!!!
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December 12, 2017 at 9:37 am
Thank you, Vivian 🙂
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December 12, 2017 at 9:46 am
🙂
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December 11, 2017 at 9:43 pm
Fantastic piece Vivian, it is good when your kids acknowledge you for being you. Yes we must be doing something right. I see on the news you guys have had a lot of snow the past few days, the boots will be very handy.
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December 12, 2017 at 12:26 am
Thanks Michael- and oh- so handy!
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December 11, 2017 at 10:54 pm
I feel the gratitude radiating from this haibun. Happy for you!
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December 12, 2017 at 12:15 am
🙂 🙂 :)….. loving my priceless boots!
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December 11, 2017 at 11:44 pm
There’s a wonderment to realizing that you’ve raised these kids to be wonderful, kind human beings.
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December 12, 2017 at 12:09 am
Thanks for saying that, Sascha. I wish I could take all the credit for it….but I AM grateful they’re turning out ok. 🙂
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December 12, 2017 at 12:37 am
Well, most of the credit starts with you.
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December 12, 2017 at 7:20 am
Thank you!
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December 12, 2017 at 1:07 am
It speaks much of how you raised your child.
What a wonderful thing, even beyond the gift itself,
to know her heart is one that gives.
And the boots, a tangible reminder for years to come
of her love for you.
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December 12, 2017 at 7:19 am
Thank you!
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December 12, 2017 at 1:52 am
What a feeling, to know that you raised a thoughtful, caring person.
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December 12, 2017 at 7:18 am
I thank God for her😊
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December 12, 2017 at 2:09 am
This is the coolest thing.
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December 12, 2017 at 7:17 am
Thanks, Shawna!
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December 12, 2017 at 3:14 am
Oh Vivian, that’s so lovely. You must be very proud.
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December 12, 2017 at 7:16 am
Very!😊. Thanks!
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December 12, 2017 at 4:45 am
This is beautiful and the haiku is perfect! You really have done something right!!
Dwight
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December 12, 2017 at 7:15 am
Thanks, Dwight!
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December 12, 2017 at 7:18 am
It’s 7.15 am, I’m just reading yesterday evening’s haibun and yours has made my made! Than God for wonderful daughters. Enjoy your new winter boots, Viv, with their echoes of love!
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December 12, 2017 at 7:23 am
Thank God indeed! Much appreciated, Kim😊
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December 12, 2017 at 7:45 am
I just spotted the typing – so sorry! I have stiff, cold and very dry fingers and will be going for paraffin treatment this afternoon in the hope that they will be flexible again. 😉
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December 12, 2017 at 9:48 am
I haven’t even noticed! Whats the paraffin treatment? I’m starting to get arthritis in my hands.. so pray, tell.
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December 12, 2017 at 4:13 pm
You dip your hands in heated paraffin wax-like stuff several times to make sure they’re well covered. Then they’re wrapped in plastic and placed in mitts. After a while, the wax has set and is rolled off your hands. Mine are now soft and quite supple! 😊
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December 12, 2017 at 5:50 pm
Wow!
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December 12, 2017 at 4:14 pm
PS I also had a manicure and have sparkly pink nails!
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December 12, 2017 at 5:49 pm
Good for u!😁
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December 12, 2017 at 12:04 pm
Awww. That’s beautiful.
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December 12, 2017 at 12:09 pm
This is a wonderful recounting. Children do surprise us and in so many ways. What a delightful thing for your daughter to do….an act of love in the note and the giving itself. Would that she could see your goofy grin! 🙂 And the haiku is perfect for the haibun. Footprints, tracks of love 🙂
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December 12, 2017 at 4:52 pm
What a beautiful surprise Vivian and such a lovely gesture from your daughter. I love how your gratitude flows from every step in your new winter boots :o) xxx
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December 14, 2017 at 7:58 am
Thanks, I really love those boots💙❤
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December 14, 2017 at 8:01 am
☺🙋♀️💖 xxx
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December 12, 2017 at 5:02 pm
wow! I am waiting for the day I feel I am doing something right with my parenting. Fingers crossed.
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December 14, 2017 at 7:56 am
It’ll come😊
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December 12, 2017 at 6:18 pm
Wow, Vivian, it has to do with goog Karma, they say. What goes around…..
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December 14, 2017 at 7:55 am
Absolutely! 😊
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December 12, 2017 at 10:46 pm
when we see our children becoming souls with substance its pride that cannot be contained, what a beautiful gesture and the text means more than the boots i am sure. you are blessed with that you have sown has given you much joy
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December 12, 2017 at 10:48 pm
Thank you so much. Such a lovely thing to say 🙂
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December 13, 2017 at 3:06 am
This made me smile! (K)
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December 14, 2017 at 7:34 am
😊😊😊
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December 13, 2017 at 6:39 pm
Wow, what a truly heartwarming story…of a wonderful daughter!
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December 14, 2017 at 7:32 am
She’s a blessing, thank you 😊
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December 14, 2017 at 12:41 am
You, my friend, are truly blessed 💛
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December 14, 2017 at 7:31 am
I’ll take that! 😊
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December 30, 2017 at 7:49 pm
That is quite a trail of footprints left behind. Never thought of capturing mine on camera before. You just gave me an idea as I look outside at the snowfall coming down.
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December 30, 2017 at 10:51 pm
If you can capture yours….go for it. Unfortunately, here in London- slush takes over very quickly- so I made do with pixabay instead. Thanks for stopping by 😊
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