I come from a very large and very close family and we all know we can turn to each other for anything we may need.
My Dad passed away at a very young age back in 1972, but he has always remained very much “present” in all of our lives, and we don’t hesitate to ask him for things either.
This poem came to me on a morning when I found myself tripping and falling over some of the “rougher spots” in my own life. I was driving to work at my gallery in Santa Fe and wondering about solutions. I asked my Dad for help in gaining some clarity, and solving the problems.
The first two stanzas of this poem came into my head full blown and I kept repeating them over and over while driving, so I would not forget them before getting to a pencil and paper. Running into the gallery, I grabbed a pen and started writing on a shopping bag - before even turning on the lights.
This copy is illustrated using
“The Conversation” outline stamp by Cre8it.
I published the poem under the title “A Message for My Child”, and sold framed copies in the gallery (it sold well and made money - which helped with some of the afore-mentioned problems, by the way).
Getting the feedback from people who read and bought the poem for their loved ones was a very moving experience. Many times, the sound of a stifled sob would cause me to look up from my desk, and I would be treated to wonderful stories about family - from someone who had been moved to tears by a memory.
By request, I would do custom prints with “Sister”, “Grandchild”, or “Brother” in place of the “Child” in the title, so I knew it was affecting more family relationships than just the parent/child one. Many phone calls and letters came back to the gallery about how the poem had been the catalyst for mending some broken family ties, or had led to some life-altering communication between siblings.
The gift I had received that day was a special one indeed - and a gift that kept on giving.
So today, I give it to you.
You can use it to make a gift for someone you love. A card would be nice, but something that could be framed may be even better. The stanzas could be used to create a small illustrated book, or the poem could be used in a scrapbook of photo memories for a son or daughter.
Please honor the spirit in which this gift is given and protect my copyright as explained below.
Copyright:
Usage rights granted to you for “A Message for My Child?”:
© 1999, Jessica Wesolek All Rights Reserved that are not expressly granted below.
You may reproduce the poem to make gift items of any type for family members or friends. My copyright notice, as provided, must appear with the poem in type no smaller than 1/8"high.
You may not use the poem in any item for sale nor sell copies of the poem itself.
You may not publish the poem in any media whatsoever without my written permission.
You may not post or publish the poem online in any format including, but not limited to: websites, email lists, newsletters, bulletin boards, chat rooms, etc.
You may not use the poem to make rubber stamps or clip art materials such as collage sheets, or any other commercial product whatsoever.
No photo of derivitive art in which the poem is legible may be published online, or in any magazine or other print publication without accompanying copyright notice and credit.
If you agree to these provisions, click the link below to print or copy:
