OLD CHATHAM QUAKERS
  • Home
  • What's Going On?
    • Calendar
    • Upcoming Events
  • Donate
  • More About Us
    • Location
    • Quaker Links
    • Renting the Meeting House
  • Meeting Life
    • Meeting Business
    • Meeting Directory
    • Miscellaneous Documents
    • Document Archive
    • Worship Sharing
    • The Role of Ministry and Counsel
    • Friends Burial Ground at Rayville
    • Photo Archive
  • Covid Policy
  • OCMM Visibility Strategy Survey
  • Blog
  • Sanctuary Documents
  • OPJ Documents
  • Solitary Housing Unit
  • Memorial Minutes

It’s Not What You Think By Mary Jo Russell

3/3/2023

2 Comments

 
Picture
Love had you on the brink.
I was impressed and rescued you,
But it’s just not what you think.

We spent some sunny carefree days,
Love had us in the pink.
We shared our dreams and happiness,
But it isn’t what you think.

We felt a closeness after all
And love finally made a link.
The plans we made were sure and true,
But it isn’t what you think.

My dreams were shattered all at once!
Love was to you a MINK.
You thought you’d do me in, my dear.
That’s certainly what I think!
 
Just the same, I miss you so
And that wasn’t what I sought.
I didn’t mean to fall in love.
That isn’t what I thought!
 
 The song above was written by my mother and refers, of course, to the husband (my father) who abused her psychologically and physically. In our opposition to violence, Friends should not forget to speak and act against domestic violence.            

~ submitted by Richard Russell
2 Comments
Donald Newman Lathrop
3/9/2023 07:24:17 pm

Hi Richard,

That was very impresive!

Many thanks for sharing your mom's poem.

It's amazing that you turned out so well. I hope she did.

My experience was so different. My folks, who adopted me, gave me plenty of kindness and to my recall, they never fought.

Peace,
Don

Reply
Richard S Russell
3/9/2023 07:52:44 pm

Hi, Don.

Mother had 20 years of happiness at the end of her life. I've overcome the toxicity of my childhood, but it did take about 50 years to overcome the burden of my upbringing.

Richard

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    ​This blog was set up to post content of interest to Old Chatham Quaker members and attenders. Posts related to one's own personal spiritual journey, reports based on interviews with others, and reflections on Quaker-related topics are welcome. Posts by individuals are personal expressions and do not necessarily reflect those of the Meeting as a whole.
    Guidelines for posting on website blog:
    Submit to member of Communications committee; committee has editorial oversight over all content posted on the Meeting website.

    Be respectful of the nature of vocal ministry given in Meeting for Worship or other settings and any private conversations about spiritual matters.

    Cite source of any image or other external content submitted.

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

  • Home
  • What's Going On?
    • Calendar
    • Upcoming Events
  • Donate
  • More About Us
    • Location
    • Quaker Links
    • Renting the Meeting House
  • Meeting Life
    • Meeting Business
    • Meeting Directory
    • Miscellaneous Documents
    • Document Archive
    • Worship Sharing
    • The Role of Ministry and Counsel
    • Friends Burial Ground at Rayville
    • Photo Archive
  • Covid Policy
  • OCMM Visibility Strategy Survey
  • Blog
  • Sanctuary Documents
  • OPJ Documents
  • Solitary Housing Unit
  • Memorial Minutes