Photo courtesy of Jessica Peterson
Time for Five minute Friday, linking with Lisa Jo Baker.
- Write for five minutes.
- Post without editing.
- Prompt: Belong
We spend our lives looking for it.
Starting from the time we’re little ones.
Going to school, sizing up everyone around.
We become friends with those who are like us.
We marry someone who accepts us.
And each day we keep looking for where we fit in.
Sometimes we find it in a group of people who think like us, laugh at our jokes.
Sometimes it’s found in a niche where we feel we’re a valuable part; a community of sorts.
Some of us find it in church. Some of us find it in a hobby. A shared interest.
I found where I belong. It’s taken me a while but I found it.
It happened one day when I was putting things away. I saw it out of the corner of my eye.
A little tiger. It was on the windowsill.
So I tucked it in my pocket. And I forgot about it. Till today.
That little tiger reminded me just where I belong.
Next to my little grandchildren. I belong on the couch with one of them on my lap.
Or playing lego’s with Jude and Charlie.
I belong to them. I’m a grandma.
And it makes me feel good. I don’t have to look anymore.
Reaching my hand into my pocket it’s confirmed. I feel the little shape of a tiger.
And I smile. It’s nice to belong.
Anne Peterson Writes 
What a great way to be reminded of your grandchildren! I see how much my mother enjoys every minute with her first grandson. Those relationships are beautiful.
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Laura,
Thanks for taking the time to read it. I’m sure your mom does enjoy her first grandson. Jude will always be special to me because he made me a grandma.
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Anne, this is nice. How long have you been doing five minute friday? It’s so clear and holds so much in few words.
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Tammy,
Thanks for reading. I have been doing Five minute Fridays since May 10th. I really like them and I’ve been getting real positive feedback from doing them. I like telling a lot with few words. Of course, I am a poet, so it’s one of my favorite things to do. Say much with little. Thanks for your encouraging words.
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I can tell you are a very special part of your grandchildren’s lives. So many places to search for belonging, yet often it is surprisingly close! Thanks for sharing.
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Katy,
Thanks for reading my post. Yes, there are so many places to search for belonging, how wonderful it is so close that I find where I truly fit.
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awwwww. belonging is beautiful. it opens our eyes to just how blessed we really are!
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Marvia,
Yes, having a place to belong is really a blessing, just like every good gift he provides for us. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
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sweet, sweet post.
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Thanks so much for reading and for your comment. They say to write about what you’re passionate about. Well, I guess it’s obvious for me.
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Lovely post Anne. I bet your are a great grandma. Jude and Charlie are fortunate to have you in their lives.
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Patricia,
I never knew being a grandma would be one of my favorite outfits. So comfortable. They totally get me. Can hardly wait to get to know little Ruthie too. I’m triple blessed now. Thanks for reading, Patricia, and for your kind comment.
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It’s wonderful isn’t it Anne, to arrive at where we belong after all our striving.
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Audrey,
Yes. You’re right. All the striving for what? The day they put Jude in my arms. It’s a day I’ll never forget. The other day Jude asked Charlie if he would like to play a game with him. Charlie said his usual,
“Yeah, sure.”
Then Jude asked me.
I responded, “I thought you were going to play with Charlie?”
And Jude said, “Would you like to watch us play?”
He added, “I like it when you’re with us.”
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Great idea on the tiger and on FmF. I find it is helpful to have those little tangible reminders of the intangible as well. Thanks again.
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Anna,
Thanks. God knows we need little reminders. At least, I do. Thanks for reading, Anna, and for your comment.
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Anne just beautiful and with your grandchildren there is no judgement from them, you will always have a special place in their hearts, somewhere you are completely you, how gorgeous, what a soulful uplifting post.
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Kath,
Thanks for reading and for your comments. I’m glad you found it uplifting. I had a great time writing it.
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Anne,
I loved this. So simple, yet profound. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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Barbara,
Thanks for reading it, and for your comment. It was fun writing it.
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I’m so happy for you that you have a place of belonging caring for your delightful grandsons. You also belong to your “tribe,” who are daily watered by your words of encouragement, kindness and love.
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Cathleen, What a wonderful thing to say. I do believe I belong when I’m with the Tribe Writers. It’s people like you that make me feel welcome. We got to spend some time with Ruthie the other day. They realized eating out was no fun with Ruthie. She screamed the last two times. But when she was hear, she was fine. Mike actually took her for a walk just holding her, hoping someone was outside so he could brag. It was cute.
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