The Watering Can

While Janie and I were talking recently about relationships and companionship and marriage and the magic and triumph of hope thereof… I found myself telling her about The Watering Can.

The Watering Can is perhaps my metaphoric vision of the “to have and to hold” piece of life and love and relationships. But my “to have and to hold” belongs to the mother. She holds The Watering Can. She is the one whose hands and fingers and heart have held, gripped and embraced The Watering Can… until another human being gently allows her to release her hold.

I found myself writing the story of The Watering Can for my Janie, my beautiful daughter… and I’d like to share it with other mothers and other children. I hope you will see what I mean.

The Watering Can

There’s a mystical legend as old as the sky,
A soft and quite magical lullaby.

It begins anew with each newborn babe,
A treasured gift with enchanting ways.

It’s a story known from land to land…
This magical legend of The Watering Can.

The Watering Can appears so beautifully new,
Magnificently created, uniquely for you.

Richly adorned or forged from tin,
But the sacred part is what’s within…

For The Watering Can’s magic is invisible, you see,
But for the hands and the heart of one who will be

Your song, your music, your sea, your ship…
Your sun, your rainbow, your dance, your skip.

The Watering Can’s magic nourishes and flows,
It sprinkles and splashes and watches you grow.

It’s tipped and poured and filled in great drought,
Dipped in great rivers the world throughout.

Its handle is held, carried, embraced
As a lifetime of moments take beautiful shape…

Then comes a moment when the grasp is replaced
By another’s heart, another’s embrace.

The Watering Can’s presence will seem to be known
By a new pair of hands… a gentle new home.

But remember this lesson, for it’s truer than true,
The Watering Can’s magic is resolute…

The new hands and the heart of the lullaby’s song
Will understand what must be done…

The sprinkles, the splashes, the pours and tips,
Flowing, and nourishing your awaiting lips…

The dipping in rivers in times of great drought,
The Watering Can’s magic never in doubt.

Then you’ll laugh and you’ll sing,
You’ll dance and you’ll fly,
Your ship will set sail
And your lullaby

Will flourish and discover notes not yet sung,
For The Watering Can’s new magic has just begun.

(But always remember as the hours and days
Blend quite together in enchanting ways…
The grasp of the first hand who held with her soul,
Leaves a forever imprint to have and to hold.)

I love you, my beautiful, beautiful Janie… forever and ever and then some more. Always look for someone who understands the great importance of The Watering Can. Always…

Mom

About Audrey

Audrey McClelland has been a digital influencer since 2005. She’s a mom of 5 and shares tips on her three favorite things: parenting, fashion and beauty. She’s also a Contemporary Romance Author.

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13 Comments

  1. 5.26.09
    Heather said:

    I don’t know how I have gone almost 32 years without seeing this, Sharon. I LOVE IT. I’m going to print it and share it. Thank you.

  2. 5.26.09

    Mom, I can’t believe you wrote this beautiful poem just for me. I love you beyond words.

  3. 5.26.09

    Do you have any idea how often your posts bring tears to my eyes? Your family is so blessed to have you. I hope they all realize that!

  4. 5.27.09
    Christy said:

    Sharon, your blog is a daily does of inspiration for me. You are a gifted writer, mother, grandmother, and blogger. I wish I could have taken one of your classes when you were a teacher! I bet your classroom was a magical place.

  5. 5.27.09

    Yeah, thanks for the tears so early in the morning;) So beautiful. I need a hug now.

  6. 5.27.09

    What a beautiful post and poem, Sharon! I hope Jane finds someone that understands too. 🙂

  7. 5.27.09

    What beautiful poem and even more importantly what a special Mom you are. Jane and Audrey are so lucky to have you in their lives. Did you really write this yourself? You are one talented Mama. Maybe you girls need to start a poetry blog to showcase your talents too.

  8. 5.27.09
    Audrey - Mom Generations said:

    Mom… You need to write. It’s your God given gift. xo
    Audrey

  9. 5.27.09
    Lindsay said:

    Sharon, what a gift to your girls. And thank you for pointing out the nurturing responsibilities and gifts we have- it’s easy for me to sometimes get pulled in too many different directions and forget that teh watering of my garden is truly my first priority. With gratitude-

  10. 5.27.09
    Connie said:

    Sharon, this is such a beautiful expression of the connection between a mother and her child, and to the generations before and to come. Once again, thank you for sharing your incredible, God-given gift. You are a treasure.

  11. 5.27.09
    Alli said:

    Wow! I am blown away and moved beyond words. Simply beautiful.

  12. 5.28.09

    Sharon, You are such a precious gift. Your family has a treasure in you. Keep writing and don’t stop. I would rather read your stories than any ole’ book any day.

  13. 7.12.09
    Annemarie said:

    Looking for a suitable caption for a watering can photo, I found this beautiful poem! Thank you so much for sharing it. Love and best wishes to you and your family x

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