Older than dad ever was – v2

I was driving to work, quiet
my mind searching, pondering,
thinking about mom passing,
Family, other moments,
The ties that bind us…
 
Another line crossed
all of us, forever, turning,
lifetimes we have spent,
Older than dad ever was
Each day a new beginning…
 
----------------
Edited May 27, 2024
Older than dad ever was – v2
 
Dad died when he was 58, three of us are older,
two more to go…
January 11, 2022
Older than dad ever was
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/01/older-than-dad-ever-was.html
January 4, 2022
just before the mandates, the pandemic
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/01/just-before-mandates-pandemic.html
January 10, 2020
Obituary for Patricia Ann Ring Foss Cobb
https://www.cremationsocietyofsc.com/obituaries/Patricia-Cobb-2/#!/Obituary
https://www.eagletimes.com/obituaries/patricia-a-ring-foss-cobb/article_648ce713-d56b-541f-b6c2-ba2932501331.html
January 25, 2020
my Facebook post:
https://www.facebook.com/raymond.a.foss/posts/10157231482093003
&
10/29/17 prayer for Patricia Cobb, Ray's mom, by Pastor Ruth Foss,
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, Patten, ME
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/10/102917-prayer-for-patricia-cobb-rays.html
&
December 29, 2011
Something remains with us
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/12/something-remains-with-us.html
rose leaves growing from a pair of dead long-stem red roses
cut before the funeral for Richard Bayley Cobb, Jr.
December 3, 2011
&
October 9, 2010
In Their Fragrance and Their Colors
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/10/in-their-fragrance-and-their-colors.html
written as birthday gift for my mother, Patricia Cobb,
on the occasion of her 75th birthday
October 9, 2010
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, family, father, aging, death, life, siblings, God, legacy,
 
#poetry #family #father #aging #death #life #sibling #God #legacy

The crawlspace, the addition

The crawlspace, the addition,
under our parents’ bedroom
under the floorboards
a foreign land, a country.
 
Climbing from the basement,
up into the crawlspace,
sand, smooth stones,
in the shape of dinosaur eggs.
 
A curtain, a stage,
for our performances,
acting out our imaginations
the mouth of that space.
 
-----------------------

February 27, 2022

The crawlspace, the addition

 

about 1967

edited February 27, 2022

Roses of Crepe Paper – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/roses-of-crepe-paper-v2.html

https://www.facebook.com/raymond.a.foss/posts/10158277302188003

&

edited February 25, 2022

writing in cursive – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/writing-in-cursive-v3.html

&

edited February 22, 2022

Looking out Burns’ window – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/looking-out-burns-window-v-2.html

&
edited February 20, 2022

sitting on the floor – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/sitting-on-floor-v2.html

edited February 20, 2022

sitting on the floor

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/sitting-on-floor.html

written after listening again to 2015 interview with Mary Oliver

On Being with Krista Tippett,

especially where she talked about skipping school to

take books with her in her knapsack into the woods

edited/new February 3, 2022

entering a world of wonders

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/entering-world-of-wonder.html

edited February 3, 2022

Descending the stairs – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/descending-stairs-v2.html

&

edited February 20, 2022

my refuge on the island – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/my-refuge-on-island-v3.html

(adding 1^st and 2^nd stanza)

edited February 20, 2022

my refuge on the island – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/my-refuge-on-island-v2.html

merged February 20, 2022

my refuge on the island

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/my-refuge-on-island.html

February 19, 2022

my refuge on the island – pt 3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/my-refuge-on-island-pt-3.html

February 19, 2022

my refuge on the island – pt 2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/my-refuge-on-island-pt-2.html

February 19, 2022

my refuge on the island – pt 1

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/my-refuge-on-island-pt-1.html

cabin on Blueberry Island in Swains Lake,

Barrington, NH

summer of 2000

written after reading, “Building the House”,

by Mary Oliver

&

edited February 18, 2022

A watch – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/a-watch-v2.html

&

edited February 18, 2022

I’ve never been to Provincetown – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/ive-never-been-to-provincetown-v2.html

&

edited February 18, 2022

I have crossed his fence – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/i-have-crossed-his-fence-v3.html

&

February 18, 2022

gifted by pulling over

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/gifted-by-pulling-over.html

Bayard Conservation Area

Green Cove Springs, FL

Route 16

&

edited February 18, 2022

Something ancient, sacred – v7

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/something-ancient-sacred-v7.html

&

edited February 16, 2022

Gathering checkerberries – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/gathering-checkerberries-v2.html

February 15, 2022

Gathering checkerberries

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/gathering-checkerberries.html

UCC Second Congregational Church, Westfield MA

probably about 1970 or 1971

&

February 16, 2022

The carpet wet with her tears

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-carpet-wet-with-her-tears.html

&

edited February 15, 2022

Sometimes a pen – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/sometimes-pen-v2.html

&

edited February 15, 2022

where they bedded for the night – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/where-they-bedded-for-night-v2.html

Claremont, NH, 1977

&

edited February 15, 2022

Diving, rising, landing – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/diving-rising-landing-v2.html

&

edited February 15, 2022

I have crossed his fence – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/i-have-crossed-his-fence-v2.html

February 15, 2022

I have crossed his fence

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/i-have-crossed-his-fence.html

About poem, "Mending Wall",

by Robert Frost

&

February 15, 2022

Diving, rising, landing

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/diving-rising-landing.html

&

edited/merged February 15, 2022

on the shore of the Loch = 2 – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/on-shore-of-loch-2-v2.html
February 14, 2022

on the shore of the Loch - 2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/on-shore-of-loch.html

edited July 23, 2015

Urughart – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/07/urughart-v3.html

(editing version 2)

edited April 21, 2015

Urughart – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/04/urughart-v2.html

Standing on the edge of Loch Ness, 1999

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2005/08/loch-ness.html

May 7, 2010
On the Shore of the Loch

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/05/on-shore-of-loch.html

2/25/06 19:05

Urughart

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/02/urquhart.html

1999 trip to Scotland

&

February 14, 2022

A watch
https://raymondafoss.blogsp ot.com/2022/02/a-watch.html

1994 or 1995-ish

Martha’s Vineyard

&

February 14, 2022

I’ve never been to Provincetown

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/ive-never-been-to-provincetown.html

written after listening to 2015 interview with Mary Oliver

On Being with Krista Tippett,

about her move to Florida from Provincetown, Massachusetts

&

February 14, 2022

That’s Mine

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/thats-mine.html

1972 vacation on Wells Beach, Wells, Maine

&

February 14, 2022

Looking out Burns’ window

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/looking-out-burns-window.html

1999 trip to Scotland

&

edited February 14, 2022

Perched on my left hand – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/perched-on-my-left-hand-v2.html

2/13/2022

Perched on my left hand

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/perched-on-my-left-hand.html

written after reading "The Summer Day"

by Mary Oliver

photo of dragonfly on my finger 8/21/2020

Sheila Nadile Porath - ty. I was very aware that this was a gift, a singular moment. I very gently lifted the dragonfly from the grass and it was on my right hand. I moved it to my left hand to take the shots and videos. I so wanted it to stay longer but I could tell how nervous it was, as its wings were moving. That was like the white admiral butterfly covered in raindrops a few days earlier. It had shown its nervousness with its tongue going in and out. In both cases, I really had to still myself in spite of my heart racing. Trying to be collaborator not predator to get the shots.

&

February 13, 2022

Sometimes a pen

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/sometimes-pen.html

written while listening to rebroadcast of 2015 interview with Mary Oliver

On Being with Krista Tippett

&

February 13, 2022

the arch of their backs

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-arch-of-their-backs.html

written a few days after reading "Humpbacks"

by Mary Oliver

&

February 12, 2022

surrounding the lake, the woodlands

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/surrounding-lake-woodlands.html

written after reading "In Blackwater Woods",

by Mary Oliver

&

February 12, 2022

leftover chowder

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/leftover-chowder.html

written after reading “Bluefish”,

by Mary Oliver

written about making chowder on Martha’s Vineyard

in the mid-1990’s

&

edited February 12, 2022

A Cup of Berries – v5

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/a-cup-of-berries-v5.html

edited February 11, 2022

living goblets – v4

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/living-goblets-v4.html
Edited after reading "Blackberries",

by Mary Oliver

&

edited November 28, 2019

living goblets – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/11/living-goblets-v3.html

edited November 27, 2019

living goblets – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/11/living-goblets-v2.html

November 27, 2019

living goblets

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/11/living-goblets-of-juice-of-nectar-no.html

&

edited November 28, 2019

A Cup of Berries – v4

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/11/a-cup-of-berries-v4.html

edited August 22, 2019

A Cup of Berries – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/08/a-cup-of-berries-v3.html

edited June 21, 2014

A Cup of Berries – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/06/a-cup-of-berries-v2.html

August 10, 2008

A Cup of Berries

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/08/cup-of-berries.html

&

edited February 10, 2022

Apricot and Periwinkle – v7

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/apricot-and-periwinkle-v7.html

edited after reading “Little Sister Pond”,

by Mary Oliver

&

edited March 21, 2021

Apricot and Periwinkle - v6

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2021/03/apricot-and-periwinkle-v6.html

edited May 5, 2018

Apricot and Periwinkle – v5

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/05/apricot-and-periwinkle-v5.html

(editing version 4, adding 1^st stanza)

edited September 28, 2017

Apricot and Periwinkle – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/09/apricot-and-periwinkle-v4.html

edited January 18, 2016

Apricot and Periwinkle – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/apricot-and-periwinkle-v3.html

(merging edits to version 2 and original)

edited June 21, 2014

Apricot and Periwinkle – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/06/apricot-and-periwinkle-v2.html
Written 8/28/00 at 10:20 at night

Apricot and Periwinkle

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/02/sunset-seeing-colors.html

Written 8/28/00 at 10:20 at night 

Swain’s Lake, Barrington, NH

&

February 10, 2022

where they bedded for the night

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/where-they-bedded-for-night.html

written after reading “Little Sister Pond”,

by Mary Oliver

&

Edited February 10, 2022

something ancient, sacred - v6

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/something-ancient-sacred-v6.html

February 10, 2022

&

Gathering another branch

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/gathering-another-branch.html

written after reading "A Meeting"

by Mary Oliver

&

edited February 8, 2022

Building their nest – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/building-their-nest-v2.html

February 7, 2022

Building their nest

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/building-their-nest.html

&

edited February 10, 2022

something ancient, sacred – v5

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/something-ancient-sacred-v5.html

edited February 10, 2022

something ancient, sacred – v4

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/something-ancient-sacred-v4.html

edited February 9, 2022

something ancient, sacred – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/something-ancient-sacred-v3.html

edited after reading, “Crossing the Swamp”,

by Mary Oliver

&

Edited October 19, 2013

something ancient, sacred – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/10/something-ancient-sacred-v2.html

July 21, 2013

something ancient, sacred

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/07/something-ancient-sacred.html

about fishing trip

July 17, 2013

&

edited February 9, 2022

drawn to the source – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/drawn-to-source-v2.html

February 9, 2022

drawn to the source

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/drawn-to-source.html

written after reading, “The Fish” and

“Honey at the Table”,

by Mary Oliver

&

edited February 9, 2022

Wooing the Darkness to Sleep – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/wooing-darkness-to-sleep-v2.html

February 9, 2022

Wooing the Darkness to Sleep

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/wooing-darkness-to-sleep.html

written after reading, “White Night”,

by Mary Oliver

&

edited February 9, 2022

Her Lady Slipper – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/her-lady-slipper-v3.html

edited after reading “May”,

by Mary Oliver

&

edited February 9, 2022

at the edge of the lake – v4

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/at-edge-of-lake-v4.html

edited February 9, 2022

at the edge of the lake – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/at-edge-of-lake-v3.html

edited February 9, 2022

at the edge of the lake – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/at-edge-of-lake-v2.html

edited February 9, 2022

onto the water – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/onto-water-v2.html

February 8, 2022

onto the water

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/onto-water.html

about summer 2000,

written after reading "Blossom"

by Mary Oliver

&

February 8, 2022

at the edge of the lake

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/at-edge-of-lake.html

about summer 2000,

written after reading "Morning on Great Pond"

by Mary Oliver

&

edited February 8, 2022

in the woods I wandered – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/in-woods-i-wandered-v3.html

edited February 8, 2022

in the woods I wandered – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/in-woods-i-wandered-v2.html

February 8, 2022

in the woods I wandered

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/in-woods-i-wandered.html

written after reading “Spring”

by Mary Oliver

&

edited February 8, 2022

The bramble enticing – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-bramble-enticing-v2.html

February 8, 2022

the bramble enticing

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-bramble-enticing.html

Written after reading "Skunk Cabbage"

by Mary Oliver

&

February 6, 2022

Diatomaceous earth

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/diatomaceous-earth.html

Written after reading "Rain in Ohio",

By Mary Oliver

&

February 6, 2022

The raptors, their carrion

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-raptors-their-carrion.html

Written after reading "Vultures" by Mary Oliver.

&

January 3, 2022

A squadron of geese

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/01/a-squadron-of-geese.html

written after reading Clapp’s Brook by Mary Oliver

&

January 3, 2022

The bear cub

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/01/the-bear-cub.html

About drive out of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

after 2019 Stars Over Katahdin dark skies event. 

Drafted after reading first part of poem "Clapp's Brook" by Mary Oliver.

 

------------

poetry, nature, pool, memories,

 

#poetry #nature #pool #memories

 

-----------

poetry, Florida, nature, raptors, birds, carrion,

 

#poetry #Florida #nature #raptors #birds #carrion

 

-------------

poetry, blackberry, blackberries, nature, harvest, bramble,

 

#poetry #Blackberry #blackberries #nature #harvest #bramble

 

-------------

poetry, walk, woods, explore, exploration,

 

#poetry #walk #woods #explore #exploration

 

---------------

poetry, dawn, God, promise, lake, night, darkness, sunrise, sleep, wake, circadian rhythm,

 

#poetry #dawn #God #promise #lake #night #darkness #sunrise #sleep #wake

 

---------------

poetry, God, nature, humanity, connection, woods, table, food, hunger, fish, honey, Mary Oliver,

 

#poetry #God #nature #humanity #connection #woods #table #food #hunger #fish #honey #MaryOliver

 

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

 

------------

poetry, Faith, home, hope, house, leaves, light, Nature, Maine, orange, Poetry Where You Live, sky, sun, water, rain, thunder, forest,

 

#poetry #Faith #home #hope #leaves #light #Nature #ME #sky #sun #water #memory #forest #ancestor

 

--------------

poetry, God, seagull, flight, flying, wings, hawks, nature, raptors, birds, creation, Florida, osprey, nest,

 

#poetry #God #flight #flying #wings #hawks #Florida #nature #raptors #birds #creation #osprey #nest

 

---------

poetry, blackberries, blood, colors, creator, crimson, Faith, Family, fingers, fire, fruit, God, hands, hope, Nature, raspberries, red, ripe, summer, Lori Eldridge,

 

#poetry #blackberries #blood #colors #crimson #Faith #Family #fingers #fire #fruit #God #hands #Nature #raspberries #ripe #summer

 

---------------

poetry, nature, table, food, fish, chowder, memory, Martha’s Vineyard, Mary Oliver, watch,

 

#poetry #nature #table #food #fish #MaryOliver #chowder #MarthasVineyard #memory #watch

 

-----------

poetry, river, lake, swamp, bog, nature, cycle, Mary Oliver, water, beaver, God, creation,

 

#poetry #river #lake #swamp #bog #nature #cycle #MaryOliver #water #beaver #God #creation

 

-----------

poetry, nature, whales, memory, Mary Oliver,

 

#poetry #nature #whales #MaryOliver #memory

 

------------

poetry, writing, Mary Oliver, inspiration, nature, God, faith, family,

 

#poetry #writing #MaryOliver #inspiration #nature #God #faith #family

 

----------

poetry, writing, Mary Oliver, nature, God, dragonfly, closeup, wings, eyes,

 

#poetry #writing #MaryOliver #inspiration #nature #dragonfly #wings #eyes

 

-----------

poetry, Burns, Robert Burns, Scotland, ancestry, Scottish, birthplace, home,

 

#poetry #Burns #RobertBurns #Scotland #ancestry #Scottish #birthplace #home

 

------------

poetry, Wells, Maine, lobster, trap, summer, treasure, fishing,

 

#poetry #Wells #Maine #lobster #trap #summer #treasure #fishing

 

----------------

poetry, nature, Mary Oliver, New England, Florida, seasons, beach, woods, Martha's Vineyard,

 

#poetry #nature #MaryOliver #NewEngland #Florida #seasons #beach #woods #MarthasVineyard

 

---------------------

poetry, nature, writing, Martha’s Vineyard,

 

#poetry #nature #writing #MarthasVineyard

 

------------------

poetry, Robert Burns, Scotland, ancestry, Scottish, Loch Ness, nature, Loch Ness Monster, urquhart castle,

 

#poetry #RobertBurns #Scotland #ancestry #Scottish #LochNess #nature #LochNessMonster

# UrquhartCastle

 

memories, Scotland, Loch Ness, Raymond A. Foss, Poetry Where You Live, nature, wind, water, mist, fog, waves, sight, smell, senses, rock,

 

-------------

poetry, Robert Frost, Mending Wall, Mary Oliver, stones, stone walls, walking, woods, writing,

 

#poetry #RobertFrost #MendingWall #MaryOliver #stones #stonewalls #walking #woods #writing

 

-------------------

poetry, God, church, faith, family, nature, checkerberries, terrarium, Christmas, gifts, memories,

 

#poetry #God #church #faith #family #nature #checkerberries #terrarium #Christmas #gifts #memories

 

--------------

poetry, Faith, home, hope, house, leaves, light, Nature, Maine, orange, Poetry Where You Live, sky, sun, water, rain, thunder, forest,

 

#poetry #Faith #home #hope #leaves #light #Nature #ME #Poetry #sky #sun #water #memory #forest #ancestor

 

------------------------

poetry,walk,woods,exploration,Florida,mangrove,swamp,water,forest,

 

#poetry #walk #woods #explore #exploration #Florida #mangrove #swamp #water #forest

 

------------------

poetry, nature, Mary Oliver, Martha’s Vineyard, memory, watch, beach, waves, writing,

 

#poetry #nature #MaryOliver #MarthasVineyard #memory #watch #beach #waves #writing

-----------------

 

poetry, lake, cabin, writing, refuge, sanctuary, water, nature, house, Mary Oliver, Walden, Thoreau, Frost, summer, canoe,

 

#poetry #lake #cabin #writing #refuge #sanctuary #water #nature #house #MaryOliver #Walden #Thoreau #Frost #summer #canoe

 

-----------

Poetry, words, books, biography, adventure, discovery, joy, Mary Oliver, history, memories,

 

#poetry #words #books #biography #adventure #discovery #joy #MaryOliver #history #memory

 

--------------

poetry, God, gifts, writer, talents, calling, purpose, prayer, seagull, writing, cursive, flight, flying,

 

#poetry #God #gifts #writer #talents #calling #purpose #prayer #writing #cursive #flight #flying

 

----------------------  

Poem, poetry, creator, Faith, Family, flowers, God, hope, love, memories, Nature, Raymond A. Foss, camera, photograph, roses, crepe paper,

 

#poem #poetry #roses #crepepaper #creator #Faith #Family #flowers #God #hope #love #memories #Nature #camera #photograph

 

------------------

 

poetry, writing, inspiration, nature, God, faith, childhood, family, siblings,

 

#poetry #writing #inspiration #nature #God #faith #childhoos #family #siblings

 

Older than dad ever was

Driving to work, quiet
my mind searching, pondering,
thinking about mom passing,
Family, other moments.
 
Another line crossed
All of us, forever,
Older than dad ever was
each day a new beginning.
 
----------------

January 11, 2022

Older than dad ever was

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/01/older-than-dad-ever-was.html

January 4, 2022

just before the mandates, the pandemic

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/01/just-before-mandates-pandemic.html

January 10, 2020

Obituary for Patricia Ann Ring Foss Cobb

https://www.cremationsocietyofsc.com/obituaries/Patricia-Cobb-2/#!/Obituary

https://www.eagletimes.com/obituaries/patricia-a-ring-foss-cobb/article_648ce713-d56b-541f-b6c2-ba2932501331.html

January 25, 2020

my Facebook post:

https://www.facebook.com/raymond.a.foss/posts/10157231482093003

So blessed to be able to attend and participate in the Celebration of Life for mom today at Grace River. I cannot express how much I appreciate the love and caring shown by those who attended and/or those who sent flowers, thoughts, and prayers to our family over the last two weeks.

Here are my notes for my time of sharing - for Celebration of Life of Patricia Ann Ring Foss Cobb:

Good morning, thank you for coming, for showing us all your love for Mom and for us all by being here today. For those who don’t know me, I’m Ray, mom and dad’s oldest. When I came along on April Fool’s Day 1960, Mom was twenty-five. A fact that was really problematic when I myself was twenty-five, because that meant mom was FIFTY…

I am definitely Mom and Dad’s son – analytical like dad (wanting to do it right), but I start tasks like mom (want it done)… Unfortunately that means (for me), that I am great at starting things, but not so good at finishing (sort of like the custom kitchen cabinets that dad started building for mom in the kitchen that weren’t done until shortly before we moved…).

When I got the call from Sandy and Becky that Mom had gone home to heaven two weeks ago today at about midnight, I was sad that she was gone but I was so joyful for the end of this journey for mom, just as I had been for Grammy Ring.

I was so happy for the clear day that God had gifted us the prior Sunday when I got to talk with mom twice, saying I love you and her saying I love you, how Sandy and I made a joyful noise singing Jesus Loves Me to her. She said a strong “Yes” when we talked a second time that she knew she was a child of God, that she was ready to go home to heaven, that she knew God the Father, Jesus, and all her loved ones who had gone before were waiting to greet her home.

Mom was the first one who loved me, who taught me about God and Jesus. She was active in her faith. My first memory of that was in the Methodist church in Westfield, at some young adults youth group or something. After we moved to Second Congregational, she was active there too. I never doubted her love for me, her encouraging me all throughout my life, and I always knew just how strong her depth of faith was, how important God and Christ were in her life.

She was my first teacher, the one who taught me to love books, who pushed me to do more in school. She was my typist too, before I learned to type. I don’t know how many times she and I were up late or up early working on a school paper I pushed to the last minute.

Mom was my constant in my life. She was the homeroom parent when I went to Abner Gibbs School. Years later she laughed in sharing with me that I called her Mrs. Foss when she was at school and mom when she was at home. I guess I needed both of them.

One special thing we shared, started with my Sunday School and Grammy Foss was May Day baskets. On May 1 every year for 55 years, I would give mom a May Day basket. In the early years on Squawfield Road, they would be maple tree flowers, tulips and dandelions. One year, when she was working for Dave, her “basket” was faxed to her at Communication Connections.

More than her faith, if that is possible, family was everything to mom, something that the Ring family certainly taught her. The connection was so real, the love and joy so palpable, even when we were all crammed into their small dining room as the family grew. That was so special.

Like everything, mom didn’t do things halfway. She worked hard in everything she did. That was something she learned from her mom and dad too. When Grampa got done with the YMCA in Westfield, they replaced him with three people.

Like Grammy Foss, who was known as the Cookie Lady in Springfield, mom cared for others, offering her life to share love with others, starting with family, through her faith life, and continuing as a CNA after she cared for Grammy Ring.

One story about her wanting things done… I came home from YMCA Camp Shepard in Westfield one summer day to find mom and Grampa Ring, one with a crowbar and one with a pry-bar, getting ready to take down the outside wall between the kitchen and the porch. Dad, if memory serves, came in to have it done his way. And I remember the work to do the transition between the floors of the kitchen and the porch (because they didn’t match).

Mom always showed her love in so many ways. In 1969, I had to have knee surgery. She was there with me throughout the three months I was at home in my full-length cast. She even took me around for trick or treat for UNICEF, because I wasn’t going to go out at night for regular trick or treating. The only downside was that the TV and my chair were in the same room, so I watched her soap operas too.

I left home at 18 years old in 1978 to go to UNH. I remember leaving mom and dad almost at the curb when I checked into my dorm, Gibbs Hall. They had taught me and had given me wings. I was ready to fly.

I went home in summer of 1979 and worked at Holsum Bakery on the roll oven. That was the last time I lived at home. I worked crazy hours and I’m sure I must have been a grumpy older brother to Matt and Becky, as the tv room was next to my bedroom.

Mom taught me civic mindedness, something that led me to student government at UNH, to working with and for non-profits through my work life and running for the School Board. She and I would often talk politics, which was always interesting because we often voted differently.

I remember so well mom and dad being Baptized here in the fall of 1990. I was so glad to be here with my siblings to watch that moment, as I was so glad to be here for mom and Richard’s wedding fifteen years after dad died.

I am so joyful for the way God gifted all of us for the time in January 1991, after Sandy and Peter and family were gifted time that Christmas, with mom and dad at Sugarloaf. We all got to be together sharing skiing and family time on that mountain dad loved. I remember so well mom posing for pictures in her outfit that fit her so well. And I so remember the last time I saw mom and dad together, when all of the rest of us headed home. They stayed an extra day at Sugarloaf Inn. The last image I have of them was mom and dad like a pair of teenage lovers skiing off together with smiles on their faces.

Mom and I returned to Sugarloaf March 2, 2001, to spreading dad’s ashes there. We spoke aloud her name and the names of all of us children as we released his remains to the mountain and to the wind.

And, Mom, we will be going back to that mountain later this year to spread yours remains there too, joining your physical body with dad’s, just as you today are at home in heaven with him and all of our loved ones who passed before you did.

 

 

&

10/29/17 prayer for Patricia Cobb, Ray's mom, by Pastor Ruth Foss,

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, Patten, ME

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/10/102917-prayer-for-patricia-cobb-rays.html

&

December 29, 2011

Something remains with us

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/12/something-remains-with-us.html

rose leaves growing

from a pair of dead long-stem red roses

cut before the funeral for Richard Bayley Cobb, Jr.

December 3, 2011

&

October 9, 2010

In Their Fragrance and Their Colors

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/10/in-their-fragrance-and-their-colors.html
written as birthday gift
for my mother, Patricia Cobb,
on the occasion of her 75th birthday
October 9, 2010

 

poetry, nature, love, flowers, beauty, Faith, hope, mother, children, calling, Poetry Where You Live, grace, memories, Family, God, gifts, Christ, peace, memories, death,

 

#poetry #Christ #Faith #God #grace #light #love #peace #family #memories #death #COVID #pandemic

 

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

 

poetry, family, father, aging, death, life, siblings, God, legacy,

 

#poetry #family #father #aging #death #life #sibling #God #legacy