Something Old for Freedom to Marry

It’s day one of the Freedom to Marry blog carnival at the OTHER mother, and

Me at 10
Me at 10

I have three items for today’s theme of something old.

The first is this photo on the left, taken 38 years ago, at the age I was when I wrote the following poem. When I was ten I used to write poems and slip them into my teacher’s desk drawer. Two years later, when he saw the for-sale sign up at my house, Mr. Wheeler typed up my poems and gave them to me in a bound spiral. My first (and only, to date) collection!

My second something-old is this poem. I used to think, up until I was in high school, that poems always had to rhyme.

You might notice a misspelled word in the poem, which apparently my teacher didn’t catch when he typed it… . I’ve always been a terrible speller, which I attribute to being a Gestalt learner, but I’m just making excuses.

indian-summerwedding invitation

This third picture is a drawing my sister made of my husband and me for our wedding invitations. We’ve been married 21 years, so that’s how old the drawing is. One reason why we’ve been married for over two decades is because we have children. Children need stable homes, and a legal, binding marriage can help create that stability when times are tough. The marriage also gives children a better chance for financial support should the parents decide to split up. All children deserve parents with a strong commitment to work together to provide a good home. It doesn’t make sense to deprive someone of that right simply because of the parent’s gender. Let’s support everyone’s right to marry whomever they please.

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Responses

  1. andy Avatar
    andy

    Great post! I’m stopping by as I read everyone’s Something Old posts today.

    Like

  2. christine Avatar
    christine

    Thanks Andy. Carnivals are fun, aren’t they? Nice to meet you.

    Like

  3. carolee Avatar
    carolee

    i love that picture of you! my 10-year-old self wants to be friends with your 10-year-old self. ๐Ÿ™‚

    i also really enjoy reading about your poetry past. i have little left of mine. i remember writing a rhyming poem about rainbows when i was in 2nd grade. that’s it. maybe there was a leprechaun in it. hmmm. but the poem is nowhere around. and i remember nothing about writing poetry again until college.

    what a gift it was that your teacher gave you!

    Like

  4. beryl singleton bissell Avatar
    beryl singleton bissell

    What a gift and tribute your teacher gave you in typing up those poems of yours. A tribute to the impression your budding poet spirit made on him I would think. I wonder how many teachers hang on to their students work years after they’re gone. And your sister’s sketch is a joy to behold. Such tenderness and intimacy.

    Like

  5. Jenn Avatar
    Jenn

    Hi Christine – stopping by as part of the carnival. Thanks for sharing that drawing and your thoughts – I’m touched. And love the photo!

    Like

  6. Jo Avatar
    Jo

    Yes, it’s so you, you’re so pretty. I love this piece. It says so much, so well. But why didn’t it show up in my googley reader?

    Like

  7. CJ Avatar
    CJ

    Wow, I am absolutely amazed you still have that poem after all these years! Great post! Happy Freedom to Marry Week!!!

    Like

  8. deb Avatar
    deb

    I love what you have shared. So real. So personal and dear. What a lovely teacher.

    You are an inspiration!

    I might “borrow” your idea. ๐Ÿ™‚ Although I have no poem fragments from my teenage years. They inadvertently got left at an exes house, and are probably ashes long gone.

    Like

  9. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    My 10-year-old self also wants to be friends with your 10-year-old self – and Carolee’s 10-year-old self and Jo’s 1o-year-old self and Deb’s 10-year-old-self!

    What a cutie. Look at that smile, those shining eyes and gorgeous long straight hair.

    And I love your poem, your sister’s sketch – and the post.

    Like

  10. christine Avatar
    christine

    Glad you guys liked the pics. My ten year old self is already friends with all of you. I really haven’t changed all that much. I still like to wear pajamas to the drive-in whenever I can.

    Like

  11. odessa Avatar
    odessa

    love this post! how sweet of your teacher to type your poems. and what a beautiful and talented 10-year old you were/are! thanks for sharing.

    Like

  12. Gabriella Avatar
    Gabriella

    A beautiful natural photo of you as a vibrant ten-yearold, full of promise. Obviously your teacher had the wisdom to support the promise you showed early as a poet. Precious memory! The drawing of you and your husband shows a couple delighted with each other so it really is a timeless image. i loved this sharing! G

    Like

  13. dale Avatar
    dale

    ๐Ÿ™‚

    Like

  14. Ingrid (durable pigments) Avatar
    Ingrid (durable pigments)

    I love everything about this post. ๐Ÿ™‚ It makes me want to trade “photos of ten year-old selves” and “first poems from childhood” with you. Love this photo, love your poem, love its charming misspelling (I’m hoping my son has a lot of charming misspellings in his future before he nails down all the standards). The drawing your sister did is so, so beautiful and your words about this right, so true.

    Like

  15. Tammy Avatar
    Tammy

    Wow what a lovely drawing of you and your husband! So happy, tender, and in love!

    Like

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