Heart Leaf by Cathy Ulrich
Dad,
I knew I had forgiven you
when you came to me
in a dream.
It had been four years
since your passing.
And for the first time, ever, you came
just
to see me.
You wanted to know
how my life was.
What was important to me.
Who I had become.
You told me you were proud
to know me.
That you wished that you had tried
to know me
when you lived.
But from the other side
you saw.
Only when I had forgiven,
could you come
to me
and tell me
that you loved me.
©CathyUlrich and LargeSelf, 2012
LargeSelf 
Absolutely beautiful, Cathy!
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Thank you, Ana. And thanks for the follow. Your murals are awesome!
Cathy
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Thank you! Art is such a privilege and a journey, isn’t it?
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Yes it is!
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Until September 2010, I could have told a story of my mother when I was nine, and ended, with all the emotion of the moment, “She didn’t understand!” And in September 2010, I realised- Oh, she didn’t understand. All the pain drained away in that moment.
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Exactly, Clare, exactly! Thank you, dear friend.
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so sweet n beautiful, i love it.
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Thank you, Sydney! I’m so glad!
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Beautiful poem, sweetie.
Love you.
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Love you, babe. Thanks for commenting. Who would have thought that the first poem that I’ve written in decades would be to my Dad?
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Cathy-That is beautiful. Thank you for sharing this emotional piece. I also love your photo. In Light-Julie
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Thank you, Julie. It means a lot coming from you.
Love,
Cathy
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Thank you for sharing this special moment, Cathy. Forgiveness is so amazing, as are you my friend.
Russ
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Thank you, kind Russ! I’m glad to be able to share it with you.
Cathy
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WOW!!! So very heart-felt and from real experience emotion from the soul…now, THAT IS poetry!! Bravo!!! 🙂
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Kathleen,
Thank you so much for taking a look. And for your wonderful words of encouragement. I really enjoyed writing this.
Cathy
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I am so happy to read that forgiveness has lightened your load and uplifted your heart. That your dad sought to show you his sorrow in the gentlest way possible and that you could recognize just how ‘ok’ you are (some of us think you’re way more than ok – by the way..:-))..Just beautiful.
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Mimi,
Thank you! It was a story that I wanted to share, but this poem just spilled out of me and it felt right to share the feelings and not the details. I so appreciate your support.
Cathy
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beautiful writing, Cathy! It made me teary-eyed…!
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Thank you, Elisa. It made me teary-eyed, too! It was so nice to be able to share it!
Cathy
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I saw what you wrote to Gina and decided I needed to see the poem to which you referred. I am assuming this is it. It is a wonderful revelation from a heart as pure as that leaf you so beautifully captured and shared. May I borrow that leaf photo for a poem I would like to share on my blog? I look forward to seeing more of your writing, Cathy. Your voice speaks buckets to me! JanBeek ;o) xoxox
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Jan,
Thank you so much for stopping by and for your kind comments. Yes, of course you may use the photo. I’m honored. And I will check out your site as well. Any friend of Gina’s is a friend of mine! 🙂
Love,
Cathy
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I am honored and blessed to have you wise and wonderful women in my life. You mean more to me than you may know! Love and hugs to you both!! xo 😀 Gina
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Oh my GOSH this is so incredible! It brought tears to my eyes right away, and tugged at my heart-strings of the times my Mom has come to me in dreams. This is profoundly written. I find it to be very healing for me. Bless your wise and beautiful heart Cathy!
Love and Gratitude,
Gina
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Gina,
Thank you so much. It was a wonderful experience to be able to write it and I’m so blessed to be able to share it with you. Have a wonderful week, dear friend.
Love,
Cathy
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I love this….the honesty, the wisdom, the truth in it. I believe forgiveness is one of the best things we can do for others and more importantly for ourselves….this is beautiful and thank you for sharing it.
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Boomie,
Thank you! I so agree. Forgiveness frees us to live and love more fully. And BTW, thank you for the ping back on your site. I really just wanted you to know that I was rooting for you in the contest and I wanted my points to go to you!
Cathy
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[…] the contest even voted for me, thanks Chris, Meizac, and the lovely Amy over at The Bumble Files. Cathy generously gave me some of her own points after she dropped out of the […]
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Beautiful poem Cathy. Thank you for sharing this and allowing yourself to be vulnerable–there is such power there!
xo,
Sheila
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Thank you, Sheila. It’s well worth it, I think!
Hugs,
Cathy
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Cathy,
Beautifully written and heart-felt. Thank you for sharing – it will touch many who have felt a loss of a loved one and the power of forgiveness.
Much love,
Julie
allpointshealing
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Julie,
Thank you – my first poem in years! It’s very freeing to forgive. Thank you for stopping by!
Love,
Cathy
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Beautiful poem. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, Jolyn. I really enjoy your uplifting blog!
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Thank you. 🙂
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