
This poem was written for my second husband's mother-in-law. She was an aristocratic woman. A daughter of the Mayflower. A retired librarian with a Masters Degree. A mother of two daughters. One deceased. The one who died, had been my husband's wife. She lived with a few simple treasures and her delight was her family.
She welcomed me with open arms. It was her way. I would learn from her about the civility of acceptance when grief abides within. When my own daughter died, I welcomed my son-in-law's new wife with the same care and hospitality that was extended when I came to her. She and I never discussed our grief. It was understood. She was a Unitarian. I am a Jew. Her grandchildren, my step children were raised in the Catholic Church. Her great grandchildren, my grandchildren were our delight. She was an incredible woman. When she passed, she left me a moonstone ring.
She didn’t need to leave me anything.
I who married her dead daughter’s spouse.
It was easier for us to explain our bond
Pretending to be in-laws.
Women bereft of our daughters.
Generational grandmothers of the same brood.
Holding hands we drank our martinis
Sharing dinner and our secret pain.
She of the Mayflower, Me of the of the Torah.
We stood next to each at St. Michaels during
The baptism of our eldest grandchild.
Nary a genuflect from either.
I like that she left me a moonstone ring.
A tearful reminder. Cloudy like our relationship.
So very special.
She didn’t need to leave me anything.


Salon.com
Comments
Our son's nursery school was called Moonstone. :)
You reminded me of my children's grandparents. When their son and I divorced and I came back to town with husband #2 to drop my children off with their father for a visit, their grandparents insisted that we stay with them. They treated #2 like a welcome visitor, and they still treated me like a daughter. Since my parents were non-existant as grandparents, my children were very lucky to have their father's parents in their lives.
http://gemstone-dictionary.com/moonstone.php
Rated for life's phases.
and she would be most happy
to be blessed with your poem
rated with love
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