New Leaves Wait to Grow ~ haibun

/ Ken Gierke / rivrvlogr

New Leaves Wait to Grow

It was an easy decision for me, when I decided to move to Missouri. I was following my heart to be with the woman I love. If we were going to be together, it was much easier for me to make the move than it would have been for her. Still not yet sixty (I had retired at fifty-three), I had no job to hold me back.

I gave a lot of thought to being away from my children and reasoned that it would be no different than if they were to move away after completing college. My eldest son had attended university in Cleveland and had a job there as a computer engineer. My other son still lived in the Buffalo area, working in IT for a web hosting firm, and wasn’t afraid to travel himself. Meanwhile, my daughter was in college, and there were no guarantees that she would stay in the area once she completed school. Since then, she has become a high school counselor, and all three have stayed in their respective cities.

It’s 700 miles to Cleveland, and another 200 miles further on to Buffalo, and I’ve driven those roads to visit them at least twenty times in the past eight years. I don’t mind the drive. We have a great time when we’re together, and we’ve even had them as guests when they’ve visited us.

When my granddaughter arrived (two years ago, next month), I realized there was something I hadn’t anticipated. Grandchildren unexpected? No, but I hadn’t thought about how much I would be missing, over the miles. Now, I saw her (and held her!) a few times in the first year, and there have been many video calls, but it’s been nearly eleven months since I’ve actually seen her.

And now, my daughter is expecting her first child in three weeks. Meanwhile, due to the COVID-19 infection rate, Missouri has been on the out-of-state travel ban list for New York State for months-on-end and flirts off-and-on with the slightly less stringent restrictions for Ohio.

I am where my heart has taken me, but I wonder.  If I knew then what I know now, would I have considered the move a folly?

old leaves fall
new leaves wait to grow
left behind

This haibun is my response to dVerse – Poetics #427 – Mussenden’s Temple,
the prompt from Lisa at dVerse ~ Poets Pub, with the prompt
to write a poem using the word folly.

47 thoughts on “New Leaves Wait to Grow ~ haibun”

  2. It’s difficult to examine all facets of a situation and satisfy every aspect. Pros and cons, lights and shadows of every thing that is. The grandkids thing is a biggie. I’m positive things wouldn’t be as compromised without this blasted pandemic, and the clock is ticking. Am really hoping we can see a viable vaccine soon. Poignant haiku 😦

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  3. You speak for many at this time, Ken! I think we all make the best choice we can when we have to move for example (especially for love). This pandemic has highlighted family separations at crucial times like deaths and births and elder care etc. It is something none of us could likely have envisioned – as you so poignantly expressed.💙

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  4. Over here in england the physical distances are not as large but the gulf emotionly of not seeing family is just as big. Fingers crossed it wont be to much longer. my little brother who lives in lousiville, kentuky does seem half aworld away.

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    • Its a problem for many people, even those as close as being in the same town. Think of someone in a long term care facility, there for their own well being yet having to see visitors on the other side of a window. I’m happy that I have my health and that I’m with someone I love dearly. If only I could have more.

      Thank you.

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    • Thank you, Merril.
      Yes, if if this situation could have been foreseen, who could imagine it would be for so long? Ohio is on-again/off-again for NY’s travel ban. My son lives outside of Cleveland, just 130 miles from New York, but it might as well be a thousand miles for the grandparents in that direction.

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      • We haven’t seen older daughter’s house in western MA yet, and we just finally got together outside with younger daughter at her house. I haven’t seen my sisters since before all this started. . . we’re all trying to be cautious. Sigh.

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    • Thank you, Mary. I keep watching those numbers. With a tentative trip to Ohio to see my son’s family on Nov. 1 (the MO/OH numbers permitting), I’ll watch the OH/NY numbers. If those are good after 14 days, I’ll make it into NY in time to meet my new granddaughter. Meanwhile, (again, numbers permitting), at least I’ll have that visit in Ohio.

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  11. Oh so tough to be separated from family at this time. It sounds like you made the right decision, following your heart – children will grow up and go there own way but I hope you are reunited soon!

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  14. The move wasn’t a folly, Ken. How could you know what the future could hold back then? I could say the same thing about moving from London to Norfolk all those years ago now that I can’t see my grandson as much as I would love to. At least I get to see him on-line and I know that we are both safe. You have successful children with lives of their own and I’m sure they don’t begrudge you your new life. Love the haiku!

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  17. I certainly hope you get to see that new baby. Travel in these times of plague are sketchy at best. My wife has been back in Ohio for over a month and is due to return to us in the Pacific Northwest shortly after Thanksgiving. I have found a place for her to be tested for COVID-19 prior to her boarding the plane, but I am still concerned for her and for us as she reenters our household. It’s unfortunate to feel this way, but the world has made things scary. I wish you will Ken.

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