climbing trees - a poem

climbing trees
by:  becky ramgren

today i watched
my son
climb a tree

and i was torn

part of me felt
panic
what if he falls?
is that too dangerous?
what if he gets hurt?

part of me felt
pride
look at him go!
what a climber!
good job buddy

part of me felt
nostalgic
i remember climbing the trees
in the empty lot
across the street from my childhood home
i used to love climbing trees
when is the last time i climbed a tree?

and then i realized
being torn
is being a parent

i want to...
protect my children
teach them lessons
and let them go

i want to...
savor the past
live in the present
and dream of the future

being torn
feelings conflicted
pulling me in a variety of directions

is who i am

and being the mom of a
rough and tumble
fast talking
eye sparkling
belly laughing
tree climbing boy

is who i want to be