Dear Brave Soul, Happy Mother’s Day!
This Mother’s Day, the one person that comes to mind who has inspired me to become an even better mother is, Elisabeth Fritzl. This courageous Austrian woman has astonished so many of us with her efforts to give her children some sense of normalcy in an incredible abnormal environment. Her mother’s heart gave and kept on giving, although she only received profound sorrow and pain which lasted nearly a quarter of a century. The decorations in her tiny cellar moved me to tears as it shows so clearly that she remembered the stars and the moon which once represented her freedom. She shared that with her children, as was obvious, when her youngest child pointed to the moon and asked if God lived there. Her brokenness is severe and deep. May we wrap her and her children into our hearts and remember them in our prayers…even long after this story is no longer in the forefront.
Dear Brave Soul, Happy Mother’s Day!
Slowly emerging from all that was dark
into the light - which seems so painfully bright.
Slowly, very slowly, each step must be taken -
into freedom…..as senses are overwhelmed
by the generosity of life.
Love and life will embrace you soundly
Goodness and kindness are there to lift you up.
You are a part of our life!
You are a part of our world!
Welcoming you openly -
for love will embrace you all around.
Life with all its complexities
with all its painful sorrows and tears,
cannot be explained with our,
so very limited eyes of understanding -
for only one piece of the puzzle we see.
Yet, life remains a wondrous gift to be lived
with so much love and mysteries yet to be had.
We welcome you with all our hearts!
Embracing you with so much love!
And, with many, many tender thoughts that, now at last,
peace for you and your children will flourish -
forever…holding you securely - far above.
Thank you, oh, brave and fragile soul,
for loving your children - despite it all.
Thank you for teaching them with the little that you had.
Thank you for your astounding bravery and courage.
And thank you, oh, dear tender soul,
for having truly done your very, very best!
May the sun shine tenderly on you -
May her warmth bring healing comfort to your broken heart.
May the wind whisper his eternal truths into your ears
And may you sense his abiding strength as well as his tender mercies.
May the rain fall extra gently upon your brow.
And may each tender droplet bring new rhythm to your thoughts.
May your tears flow freely that you might feel again and begin to heal.
May life bring its beauty to you -
With generosity and with grace.
May it envelope you with new truth and new hope -
That you may find your own beauty which abides richly in you.
And, may Love embrace you and your children -
As our world cradles you firmly and tenderly in her prayers.
Happy Mother’s Day, our very dear Elisabeth!
Viola M. Jaynes
Mother’s Day 2008
I echo the title, her life has astonished the world and your poetry has embraced her and her children, this is a beautiful piece, telling Elizabeths story. I especially loved the last stanza, so tender and I hope she continues to grow, enjoy life and her freedom.
Comment by lark — May 8, 2008 @ 11:29 pm
Beautiful poem! I think a mother is the most beautiful thing to be in this world. Elizabeth certainly sounds brave and true in her character. Great imagery. It is wonderful when we have such people in our lives.
Comment by mydandysunhine3 — May 8, 2008 @ 11:30 pm
this is a wonderful tribute poem to a special woman and mother you did her a great honor in your poem.
this woman was truly wonderful.
Comment by shirlybug — May 10, 2008 @ 2:42 am
This is a beautiful tribute, Viola, one only you could write and write so well. What heart. Thanks. God bless.
Comment by SandyCarlson — May 10, 2008 @ 9:44 am
To extend true compassion to this woman who has suffered for so long, is so necessary and right. Your words are inspirational, loving, and touch the deepest core of our hearts. Thank you, Viola, for writing such a tribute. May God bless Elizabeth and her children.
Comment by Jimmy J. — May 10, 2008 @ 6:07 pm
Thank you Sandy, for your very kind words. My heart aches for Elisabeth and we must all pray for her and her children. They have such a long road ahead.
Jimmy, thank you very much. I think her ordeal has all touhed us and chnged us in some way. I cling to my children even more and want to love them even greater.
Comment by Viola Jaynes — May 10, 2008 @ 9:39 pm
Happy Mother’s Day, Viola!
Comment by SandyCarlson — May 11, 2008 @ 2:35 am
Happy Mother’s Day to you as well, dear Sandy!
Comment by Viola Jaynes — May 11, 2008 @ 3:09 am
Viola, as others (including me) have focused on their anger at the perpetrator, you have miraculously focused (as Jesus would) on healing Elisabeth and her children. What beautiful sentiments you express and I thank you for your uplifting words!
Here’s something I read that gave me hope for Elisabeth that I would like to share, about Helen Keller:
From: http://ce.byu.edu/cw/womensconference/archive/1998/jensen_virginia.htm
In her book The Story of My Life, Helen Keller relates snatches of memories of the illness that took her sight and hearing when she was nineteen months old, and dim recollections of how the world looked and sounded. She writes: “Gradually I got used to the silence and darkness that surrounded me and forgot that it had ever been different, until she came, my teacher, who was to set my spirit free. During the first nineteen months of my life I had caught glimpses of broad, green fields, a luminous sky, trees and flowers which the darkness that followed could not wholly blot out. If we have once seen, ‘the day is ours, and what the day has shown’” (Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1954).
(End of quote)
This beautiful story from Keller’s life shows that even memories from 19 months, let alone 19 years, can be maintained for a lifetime. Hopefully, Elisabeth’s memories will come back to her in fuller and fuller form as she is granted the tender sun and the gentle rain that you speak of. Happy Mother’s Day, Viola!!!
Comment by Barbara — May 11, 2008 @ 5:58 am
Happy Mother’s Day, Friend!
Comment by SandyCarlson — May 11, 2008 @ 10:04 am
Nice poem. I like it. Happy Mother’s Day.
Comment by mountainbike — May 11, 2008 @ 12:42 pm
Thank you, Barbara, for commenting here on my site today and thank you for this link. Hope, it is something that I have for this family.
Comment by Viola Jaynes — May 11, 2008 @ 1:56 pm