Puzzle Pieces

With my grandfather's firm shoulder and earth-stained hands  

I was safe. 

With my grandmother’s gentle smile and paint-stained fingers  

I was loved. 

As a child we would put together puzzles—  

I hate puzzles. 

I always get stuck. 

But with the encouragement and sparkle in your eye I knew I could do anything.

Become unstuck.

 I lost myself recently. 

A puzzle, 

for adults. 

I was without a rope or net  

I found myself craving to be safe and loved once more with a firm shoulder and a gentle smile 

My inner child was weeping for the love of her grandparents  

You reminded me I could move mountains  

I am forever grateful  

Grandparents get you unstuck, 

Grandparents heal your inner child so they no longer weep for what we forgot we needed

So  many years ago. 

I will always keep my hands stained with the earth’s poetry  

I will always have paint marks somewhere on my body  

Because life is messy—you taught me that.  

You taught me to see the Beauty in the mess.