Loved from conception by Etya Vasserman Krichmar

 

Image / Taryn Elliott

Loved from conception

For Jeff

Before I ever saw your face, I carried you around

I heard your heartbeat, felt you move—

You made this mama proud.

Because of this and in spite of that

I loved you from the start

You brought me joy. You caused me pain.

But boredom? Never once

Rebellious you were

Because of this and 

In spite of that

I loved you from the start

I watched you cry

You made me laugh

Emotional you were

Because of this

And in spite of that

I loved you from the start

I held your hand and sang to you

I kissed away your fears

So scared sometimes you were

Because of this

And in spite of that

I loved you from the start

I wiped your tears, hugged you tight

I wanted you to be safe

The last one born, you were

Because of this

And in spite of that

I loved you from the start

Time can’t stand still 

Life goes on

You learned from your mistakes

You taught me patience, dear son

As you became a man

I stand by you and always will

You are my cross to bear

In spite of this

And because of that

I loved you from the start

So slay your dragons

Speak the truth

Continue who you are

I’ll root for you no matter what

You’re my amazing child

Because of this

And in spite of that

I loved you from the start

Always remember...

You’ve always been my heart.

© Etya Vasserman Krichmar

Etya Vasserman Krichmar

Etya was born in Kazakhstan, a former Soviet republic. In 1977, she, together with her husband and a two-year-old daughter, claimed religious discrimination to escape antisemitism and the clutches of the oppressive totalitarian regime. Etya is retired and lives in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. The Orlando Sentinel and TC Palm newspapers have published her commentaries. She is a Treasured Contributor to MasticadoresUSA. Spillwords Press nominated her story Oh, Mother! for a Publication of the Month in July 2023. Her work appeared in the White Rose, Unleashed Creative, and The Write Launch magazines. Her story, Unconditional Love, is part of the Turning Point Anthology. Knocked Sideways Anthology is releasing Not All Jews are Created Equal in the United Kingdom in April 2024. Etya draws inspiration for her stories from her experiences behind the Iron Curtain. She is a Reiki practitioner and an active member of the Florida Writers Association, Life Writers, Memoir Writing Ink, Alumni Café, Pitch to Published, and Athena Sisterhood online Writing Groups. Her website, Etya Writes, can be found on www.etyawrites.com.

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