Her
This post is the third in a series of guest posts in honor of Women’s History Month, nests for ourselves and others.
Welcome, lovely D Smith Kaich Jones.
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I am built of the small moments gifted by women I have known,
pieces of gold stacked helter skelter against the sides of my soul.
in the 3rd grade I drew words in the air and when others laughed,
my teacher did not.
her. a small moment.
a friend’s young daughter on the side of a pool, scared of the deep end,
jumping anyway.
not yet a woman, but her. another small moment.
christmas dinner the year my father died,
hospital food, hospital cafeteria,
but that night a knock on my door.
my 80 something neighbor with arms full of hugs
a plate full of turkey & dressing & pie;
“you should always have leftovers on Christmas night”.
her.
i am built of the moment my mother put a paintbrush in my hand,
“if it’s bad you can just paint over it”,
i am built of my sister-in-law’s apple pies baked extra tart just for me,
of a friend’s silly messages when life was hurting,
of fresh-from-the-yard hydrangeas propped against my early morning door.
i am built from all the women who have stood before me
and beside me and those behind me,
pushing, holding me up.
i am built of the moments they gave,
hammers in hands,
mouths full of nails and kisses,
a blueprint called me spread before them.
the small moments belong to women,
to the girls,
to the cousins and coworkers and friends we wish were sisters,
because we know they aren’t ours to keep
and we give them away.
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D Smith Kaich Jones is a Texas baby who grew up to be an artist – painter turned writer turned storyteller/poet, using whatever tool is at hand to spin her stories. She is interested in the overlooked small moments, the imperfections of daily life, forgotten secrets, the hints of people a place remembers, and can be found online at www.emmatree.com or https://twitter.com/#!/smithkaichjones.
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19 Comments
kelly
this made me cry.
and this: “mouths full of nails and kisses,
a blueprint called me spread before them.”
magic.
Angela
Kelly, Illuminary, and Celeste, You’ve quoted two of my favorite lines. I can also taste the tartness of the pie.
Illuminary
The story of my life..
” if it’s bad, you can just paint over it!”
Thanks for the prop up!
Celeste
Women…all these incredible women! This just wrapped me up in warmth this morning…but especially your sweet mama’s quote. How could you be anything but amazing coming from someone like that. 🙂
Thank you for this post Deb…
Debi
thank you – all 3 of you. and angela – the image is perfect. thank you again for allowing me to be part of this. xoxo
Angela
Debi, It’s my pleasure to have your writing here! And I’m very happy that you like the photo.
deb taylor
Debi, You are a strong, beautiful W-O-M-A-N. and this is another wonderful writing. I love to read you. ~ I celebrate you!~
robin
every word feels like a living truth. i understand this from the center most point of my body and heart. thank you xox
Tilda
like Kelly, THIS made me cry. it is so who you are EmmaTree, the woman I have come to know, who doesn’t surprise me, and always surprises me.
in fondest of thought,
Tilda
Angela
Skye, Tilda, Karen, Robin, and Deb, Thanks so much for coming to read and comment on “Her.” I share your appreciation for Debi’s words!
Karen
Yes, like sisters, but not. Standing together sometimes side by side & often on opposite sides but of equal footing. Holding a hand out to help no matter what. No matter what…
Skye
How beautiful. Yes, thanks to All That Is for those women who help form and shape us, who give us the exampling of heart that we may start coloring in our own.
The last three lines touched me deeply today.
Debi
oh my. thank you all. bless you! and yes, often on opposite sides, but of equal footing. i like that. (i wish i’d SAID that!) xoxo
wholly jeanne
oh sugar. goosebumps and tears is all i can say. i hope that’s enough to let you know how much i love you and love this exquisitely delicate and true piece. gotta’ go blow my nose now . . . hope kelly left some tissues in the box.
Streetlights94
So beautiful. And grateful for the women in your life who shaped you to being you! I am so in awe of all your talents, and you are one of the “hers” for me. xo
Debi
y’all are the best. xoxo and thank you much. and angela – once again, thank you!
Sally_G
For me, everything about you says Beautiful Artist. From the way you observe to the way you express to the way you capture and captivate. Thank you for being a ‘her’ to me …