Happiness is
three slippery bodies
just out of the tub
holding out their towels
and asking for a
“Daddy warm-up”
Happiness is my Sweetie’s eyes
deep brown
and kind
always smiling
with soft lines around them
like the Lucinda Williams song
Happiness is this family
that is ours
only ours
always ours
because we took the leap
that led us here
*****************
Wednesday and Thursday are all about Happiness. Sarah and I are so happy to have you along on this amazing adventure. Link away…and we’ll get busy reading.
Read More in Jen Writes, motherhood, relationship, three kids
Add a Comment
Next Comments →
Jen I think you should publish your poetry, in a book that I can buy and cherish forever. Lovely!
.-= Christine LaRocque´s last blog ..Happiness From Trying Again =-.
“…the leap that lead us here.”
I can’t even imagine my life before it now. Or remember it, really. That used to overwhelm me, but now it makes me happy.
Lovely poem, Jen
I know, I’m the sister, and I totally don’t have to comment. But you got me with the “Daddy warm-up.” 1) because I know your Sweetie (sorry readers) and 2) because I know your kids (um, sorry again, readers.) And the picture I have is just too cute not to say, ahhhhhhhhhhh
On another note, for all of those looking for inspiration, and who happen to actually be reading my comments, I’m looking forward to my first !!! post tomorrow. What’s !!! you say? Check out link #1 up there if you are looking for a little inspiration for your own Happiness post. Maybe you have a little !!! in you.
How could we NOT be reading your comments?? I think your rock, Sarah, to the 10th degree.
.-= Amber´s last blog ..That Was Love =-.
C’mon now, you know the comments are as important as the posts!
Even with no familiarity or visual, Jen got me with a “Daddy warm up,” too. It’s a happy request, almost too cute to handle!
.-= Leslie´s last blog ..Courage under love – and a little fire =-.
Oh, awesome. Now you have to teach me to embed photos, Peach. And good job to Bad Mommy Moments!
I am in awe of your ability to boil down these massive, unwieldy human concepts into an artful smattering of poetic words. You said in three stanzas what it would take me three pages to say. Lovely stuff.
That was my first thought, too. How does she do it? How does she remove all the words and leave just the simple emotion? It’s an art!
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..Good things =-.
Before I let myself read this, I made sure I was finished with my own post. And then, I thought the same thing Aidan observed. How can so few words say so much? Beautiful.
And, while I really despise bath time, I really love the warm-up hugs.
I love this…happiness is in the daily moments and the “leap” that got you there.
.-= Suzicate´s last blog ..Freaks, Geeks, And Squeaks =-.
So beautiful Jen. The simplicity is overwhelming! And I could feel your smile as you wrote it.
.-= Becca´s last blog ..New Theme: Bueno =-.
I am just noticing what it says my last blog is above: “New Theme: Bueno”. What’s THAT about? Weird stuff going on on Wordpress today.
.-= becca´s last blog ..Silent Moments =-.
I’m so psyched to check out Becca’s post, “New Theme: Bueno.” She’s really taking an international spin on this happiness business, isn’t she?
.-= Kristen @ Motherese´s last blog ..Random Acts of Courage =-.
HYSTERICAL. And kind of goes along with Five for Ten. I thought you were trying to give us a new topic suggestion. LOL
Your Mr. Linky hates me…it eats my link! It doesn’t want me on your list…again! Thanks for connecting me last time. It takes it but never shows up. I have posted for happiness.
.-= Suzicate´s last blog ..Freaks, Geeks, And Squeaks =-.
it’s up, Suzicate. Sorry bout that.
Lovely indeed. My views – a little different, from where I sit. But there’s so much “simple” good stuff to be taken and shared in family moments. You’ve captured that.
I love this. I love the warm towel, the deep brown eyes, and the recognition of the leap that brought you here. Happiness indeed.
.-= Lindsey´s last blog ..The introverted Connector =-.
Oh, wow… I love this. Simple and profound.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..A Lesson in Courage =-.
jen, the slippery bodies….oh the slippery bodies. and all that comes with that post-bath high! i love it! and even thought i don’t know your family i feel like i can picture it all. so full of love. thanks.
ps–i, too, and having link issues (it happened monday as well). i will try again but i cannot get my happiness post to link up. :(
.-= kate´s last blog ..courage =-.
Such a lovely poem for your beautiful family! Great topic! Can’t wait to get started!
“a daddy warm-up”–I love that. It makes me feel all sweet and mushy inside :)
.-= Alisha´s last blog ..52 Projects =-.
You are right–happiness IS a warm towel. This reminds me that I am GOING to purchase one of those towel-warmer-thingys because life is too short!
Your love for your family comes through loud and clear, here.
.-= TheKitchenWitch´s last blog ..Veg-Head Monday: Zucchini Stuffed Tomatoes =-.
You go, girl. : )
.-= Amber´s last blog ..That Was Love =-.
Just in your few words, you’ve captured your world of happiness. It’s wonderful. I love the imagery of slippery bodies and smiling deep brown eyes.
“because we took the leap
that led us here”
Amen to that!
.-= Justine´s last blog ..Two sides of the same coin =-.
This is wonderful–having children is a taking a huge leap isn’t it? It’s worth every minute!
.-= Kate´s last blog ..These are a few of my Happy Things… =-.
Like others, I love the ‘leap that led us here’.
What a crazy leap it is. A blind, no going back, both knees bent and arms swinging leap.
.-= macondo mama´s last blog ..8 more random things you might not know about Argentina =-.
Your ode to happiness bridges the specific and the universal.
(Is it possible we love our children make us so happy when they are wrapped up in a towel because that’s one of the rare times that they are both comfortable AND clean???)
.-= Launa´s last blog ..Bonheur =-.
The “Daddy warm-up” is a favorite at our house, too. And it never fails to make me smile and count my blessings, like your lovely poem.
.-= Stacia´s last blog ..Five for Ten: Happiness =-.
That truly is happiness. Smiling little children, enjoying life without a worry in the world.
Thanks for making me smile.
.-= soccermom´s last blog ..That Ain’t No damn Doggie Door =-.
Taking the leap is often required if we want to get to happiness. That doesn’t mean we won’t find happiness during the process, but think about it? When did we last achieve happiness if we didn’t, metaphorically, take the leap? It’s a huge leap but a very rewarding one.
.-= Amber´s last blog ..That Was Love =-.
Mr. Linky hates me too (or at least my BlackBerry)!
http://nonbloggercomments.blogspot.com/
added it. you’re all set. sorry for the trouble.
maybe it IS the blackberry…you know, I’m an iPhone girl.
:)
Get it right … Droid Does ;-)
lol!
.-= goofdad´s last blog ..The Pursuit =-.
Oh how I love it!
The leap. Yes. It’s so good to be glad for the leap.
This is great! I am with Christine – I need this uplifting poems in a handy little book that I can read when I need a reminder!
I love this topic too – I’m on a Happiness Project this year, so this is a perfect fit to that! Thanks Sarah & Jen (and yes, we read the comments! LOL!) You girls are so AWESOME!
.-= Shawna Cevraini´s last blog ..The Opposite of Courage =-.
I also agree with Christine. I’d love a book with your poems. You have a talent for capturing and illustrating a moment with just a few words. Can I hire you to come and write poems about my family?
Shawna, I’m also on my own Happiness Journey this year. Such a simple thing that I’ve managed to overcomplicate. Love to talk more with you about your own Happiness Project.
Oh, the overcomplicating thing….so very easy to do for us moms, isn’t it! It drives my hubby crazy! LOL!
So glad to connect with you! YES! Let’s chat about the Happiness Project, it is a major part of my life right now. Do you have the book? I’m going to “dig” more into your blog tonight – I just “found” you today! So pleased to “meet you”!
.-= Shawna Cevraini´s last blog ..The Opposite of Courage =-.
Awww, this is so beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing this! : )
.-= Sara´s last blog ..Vampire Hunting =-.
This is a very sweet poem, and very true to its subject matter. My heart was warmed just from reading it!
.-= Jenn M´s last blog ..A Moment =-.
The “daddy warm up” is why my little one refuses to allow anyone but her daddy to do bath time. Apparently he is also better at tooth brushing.
I think this poem captures so eloquently what we want for our children — memories of special moments with a parent and the obvious love between parents, and the in-the-bones knowledge that no matter where they go or what they do, they are one of you forever.
Happiness is being part of THIS conversation, meditation, celebration…
Happiness is our collective and oceanic happiness lapping at the quiet shore of our own personal happiness.
.-= Privilege of Parenting´s last blog ..Casting an eye toward Happiness =-.
I second everything you said. Because if these things in life don’t make us happy, then we’re missing the boat entirely. Babies, Sweeties, families, and soft music by Lucinda Williams. That’s the motherlode right there.
.-= Gale @ Ten Dollar Thoughts´s last blog ..Happiness: I May Be Small, But I’m Scrappy =-.
Happiness is my family. Nothing makes me happier. I have struggled this year coming to terms with my son leaving for college.
Yesterday I sat with boxes of old photos. From my childhood and from my children’s. So much happiness. So much wonderful family time.
Now what?
had to reply to my own comment.
“that is ours
only ours
always ours”
I feel this so intensely. It’s a slice of heaven.
It’s the always ours that confuses me.
I really admire your poetic skill. I can kind of write a limerick. I did find a poem I wrote in fifth grade just yesterday, which I think was the height of my poeticism.
I can’t wait of three men in a tub! Wait. that came out wrong…
.-= Rachel @ MWF Seeking BFF´s last blog ..An Age Old Question =-.
I love this. The little, everyday things really are what matters. Not the big surprises, or the big occasions, but enjoying it all. So true!
.-= LZ @ My Messy Paradise´s last blog ..Courage. A post about my father. =-.
Yes, the leap. How little and boring our lives would be if we didn’t take them. Safer, perhaps, but boring. And anyway, no matter how safe you play it, something ugly is always lurking around the corner, so why not try to lead your own band, take your own risks, jump off your own cliffs. Which, of course, leads right back to “courage”.
Give you slippery children a hug for me!
Hi Jen, I couldn’t agree more! Your momma-big heart is throbbing with every word of this gorgeous poem. The slippery body out of the tub, my Sweetie’s eyes, family, always. Thank you!
If you read my post, it’s all about the Leap.
I love your poetry! Thanks for sharing.
BTW, it seems to have eaten my link. I’ll try again later, or if you can add it, that’t be great!
.-= goofdad´s last blog ..The Pursuit =-.
Tried again after commenting … and it went this time, so nvm ;-)
.-= goofdad´s last blog ..The Pursuit =-.
This one’s happiness– and the happiness that comes from courage, since you “took the leap.” You had the courage to jump into the adventure that is your family, and now… happiness. (Maybe not every minute of every day, but I hope some minutes every day!) Lovely.
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..adventurous =-.
The leap into this life is so similar to the courage that it takes to actually do it, and it all leads to the happiness that we feel in our families. Beautiful!
Love the poem – the slippery bodies takes me back to times when we bathed all 3 of ours together. And the “leap”, the glorious leap. Made without thought for what might come our way, made in love. How glad I am to have taken that leap!
.-= Cindy´s last blog ..Letting Go =-.
Who knew you were such a poet??? These are so beautiful. I love how they are so deeply personal and specific, and yet in their specificity, they are universal. Today is a special day for me, and this is especially resonant:
Happiness is this family
that is ours
only ours
always ours
because we took the leap
that led us here.
Love it. My favorite line is “Happiness is this family that is ours, only ours.” So true.
First time participating in Five for Ten and you know what? I am happier for it.
.-= Rudri´s last blog ..Diamond Courage =-.
I love how you captured the magic of bathtime in this lovely poem, Jen. I will admit that I often dread bathtime – just another “to do” at the end of a long day. But the inevitable giggles issuing forth from chubby, slippery bodies? Magic. Every time. And happiness, just as you said.
Thanks, Jen.
.-= Kristen @ Motherese´s last blog ..Random Acts of Courage =-.
“only ours
always ours”
I love that. I think about that, too. And while it’s sometimes overwhelming, it’s also incredibly reassuring.
.-= C @ Kid Things´s last blog ..The Pursuit of Happiness =-.
Wonderful! Thank you for sharing. Simple yet poignant; a reminder of what is important.
.-= Andrea @ Shameless Agitator´s last blog ..Happiness is Over-Rated =-.
Happiness is when my husband gives the kids their bath and I just get to take pics, laugh and make a hasty exit with a glass of wine! This was precious. I love reading about how it within your own moments. Your private, precious family moments and memories are priceless. Thank you!
.-= Brittany at Mommy Words´s last blog ..One Mother’s Courageous Choice =-.
Two people I follow posted on happiness today, leading me here. So I missed the first two days but I’m going to jump in now, if that’s ok.
I love the simplicity of this poem and the “slippery bodies” imagery.
I don’t consider myself a “poetry person,” but I’ve really loved yours the past two days. They evoke such clear images and sharp emotions. Beautifully done.
.-= Meredith´s last blog ..Mother’s Day, Sort Of. =-.
Also, even though your happy images make me a bit sad (because I used to have the same happy), they still put a smile on my face. I’m thinking that means they’re true.
.-= Meredith´s last blog ..Mother’s Day, Sort Of. =-.
Beautiful, beautiful words.
.-= Allison @ Alli ‘n Son´s last blog ..Happiness Is… =-.
What a sweet reflection. I agree, the things that bring the most happiness are from my family. It is from people.
.-= Melodramommy´s last blog ..Diaper Deliverance and the Potty Training that Followed =-.
I so envy people who can both understand poetry and write poetry well. You are clearly one of those people.
Next Comments →