I've had some rather inspiring feedback on the poem I posted hear a while ago.
http://birdsong.blog.co.uk/2007/10/16/calls_for_daddy~3147837

And this from someone I would describe as 'close' though they do not know the details and the experience from which I wrote.

To me it speaks of such a deep love, one that endures as children grow, move on, still need us. A love that means we feel for our children as they experience their own growth, loves, pains, whilst knowing that we too grow as our children grow – we remain there for them but what they need and when they need it changes. They can move away (in joy or frustration) but then still call us – because they love us, they need us, to talk, to share…

Another thought – because you don’t use a child’s name, because you don’t give specific examples for why the ‘scars, why ‘empty fingers’, or details of her love – it remains totally accessible, on several levels. The reader can see it as a particular child & parent, or their own experience as a parent, or even as a child (whether now still a child or now an adult).

Two examples of this today.
At 8.25 F and her friend turned up at the house after their bus to school failed to turn up. So it was a case of jumping inot the car and crawlin gin to town to drop them off, which meant that I took the car to work.
Never a good idea, and especially when I had planned to bring Nev home to help with Biscuit's move tis evening. We managed it in the car in the end, but I think without my help she would have struggled. How would a student uner 'normal' circumstances (ie without a parent in the same city) manage to move all their stuff from one room to another literally overnight.
Keys to the new place released at 4pm, and keys to the old place expected to be returned by 10am the next day.
All done though,a nd both she and I are MUCH happier with this new place. Closer, and not catered, so more suitable right from the start. Older hall, therefore more space, and witha massive clean and well-equippe kitchen for just four people. Her own sink, two toilets and two showers between them.

I am comfortable that she will be OK there.

Managed to (at last) make the irregular Sunday night call to the firstborn this evening, only to be deflated and disappointed at the end of it. A feeling that frustrates me, and I don't make it welcome, because after all, what right do any of us have to be disappointed in our children?
She's handed in her notice at the shop without another job to go to, despite 'promising' over the summer that she wouldn't do exactly this. Her heart is set on volunteer work, making the gigs work and doing freelance photography and artwork. But I do feel all this could be done AS WELL as having a job and she is taking a step backwards.
Trouble is, I kid myself that she is not as vague and indecisive as her mother and it does worry me that she will go down the same slippery slope of never actually really doing anything...
I despair a little of her attitude that she doesn't really "need" a job because the Housing Benefit will pay the rent. What about the motivation and inspiration that comes from doing something useful, adding value to your life.

Her sister turned up at the house this afternoon with a Birthday Present for Alice. She remembered, bothered, and got sorted. Course is ony going "OK" and so far she is very bored and has written only two essays in six weeks. Thats a degree in Philosophy for ya!
But better news is that her accommodation transfer has come through to coincide with this reading week, and tomorrow morning she is going up to view, again, a place that was actually her first choice in September. And the room has been empty the whole time??
I don't really understand the University's system, but I suppose there has to be one and someone has to manage it...
Hopefully, she'll come round for dinner one evening this week and we can catch up properly.

That's if I'm in at all. Ever. Tomorrow night I will almost certainly be helping her move (and giving Nev a run out) and then on Wednesday night I have been asked if I will go out for a drink and a chat with our church administrater before he goes off on three months sick leave. It's a Big Deal he faces with heart surgery at the end of the month, and I pray for his recovery and that his 'break' does result in some quality time with a too fragmented family.
Thursday it's cell night, and this week its here.
'Creating Communitty' and 'Forgiving One Another'

When were you last let down by someone and how did you react? Have you completely dealt with it

Study passage is Ephesians 4

Still tired. Last four Sussex maps in now (that makes 42 out of 89) which I also have to do in next to no time as the deadline passed last Friday. Scotland is filtering in, and tonight ALL 17 of the fekking Lakes were returned to me. They have introduced a new editor who picks nits and both men I am dealing with are frustrated and annoyed at her comments, most of which amount to moving type half a millimetere and add very little to the overall aesthetic of the maps. Annoying, as I was happy with the way ths is going so far and more or less on top of the schedule.

Delivered 25kg of daffodil bulbs and a waterbutt to the Church courtyard on Sunday. At leas this windy weather is getting rid of most of our leaves.

Wishing I felt like sleeping