joy of a baby
first born of my first born, son
becomes a father
©Patricia J. Franz
August 5, 2011
Gramma. Nana. Nonna. Gigi. MeeMee. I am Amma.
The spiritual desert fathers and mothers were known as abbas and ammas. They chose to live away from the hubbub of third and fourth century communities, seeking solitude, silence, and stillness.
Those are characteristics I have long sought for myself: time and sacred space to slow down, to be still, to savor. They are worth nurturing in our children and grandchildren, too!
Happy Birthday to Margaret at Reflections on the Teche who is hosting our Poetry Friday roundup and thinking about rainbows!
Patricia Franz is a kidlit writer and published poet. She believes children, dogs, and sourdough have a lot to teach us about life, joy, and wonder. She has raised two boys, four dogs, and holds a master’s degree in Theology with a focus on children’s spirituality. Patricia, her husband, her Bernese Mountain dog, Bonny, and her sourdough starter split their time between the Arizona desert and the Sierra Nevada mountains. 
Congratulations again, Patricia! Your poem is so beautiful. My favorite part is “time slows the hummingbird’s path to give the coneflower a moment to bend its welcome.” I know you will love being an Amma. I also enjoyed your poems on Margaret’s post today. Such summer fun!
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement Rose – not just about Amma’s; I’m grateful to be sharing this writing journey with you!
I just spent time slowing the pace of life with my children and grandchildren, Patricia. Thank you for this special wish for the grands, my wish, too, that they will hold the beauty of our world close always.
Everyone told me grands would be special, different… had no idea how quickly I would feel this! Thank you, Linda!
I love that you are Amma. Beautiful! And the move from peaceful world to peaceful child in your poem is really lovely. Thank you!
Thank you for your kind words, Irene.
I am Mamere. It’s French for mother. Our area has its history steeped in French from the exiled Acadians. We are not French but we like the sound of Mamere and Papere. I love that your grandmother name says something about you, Amma, a seeker of solace. Your poem offers this with a meditation on all peaceful images. I love “morning light that tiptoes into the forest.”
Oh, I love Mamere/Papere! Our names need to situate us in our “places”. :). Thank you, again, Margaret.
What a beautiful heart-felt poem! I love the line that Rose mentioned, ““time slows the hummingbird’s path to give the coneflower a moment to bend its welcome” , and also the transition from peaceful world to peaceful child. Congratulations again!
Thank you, Molly!
Delightful! And, congratulations! What a fortunate child to be so blessed by these words and the author as their Amma. Every babe should be so lucky.
Yes, it’s our prayer for them all!
Congratulations, Patricia. What a beautiful photo of you and your grandbaby — I felt the grounded presence of your post and poem today. I love “birdsong hidden in the sugar pine’s canopy.”
I’m so blessed – by the baby, but also those lovely morning songs that come from the trees.
Oh, Congratulations to your whole family, Patricia! Your gorgeous poem brought me to tears, as a brand-new “Mimi” myself; the firstborn of my firstborn just turned two months old. xo
Aww! Robyn, congrats to you! A dear friend of mine is Mimi also. I suppose it doesn’t matter what they call us — as long as the CALL US, right?
Patricia, Amma, so lovely. Congratulations! My firstborn had her firstborn in June, so I’m really loving this today. I love: “Oh, that I might give the world a peaceful child.”
Congratulations to you, too, Denise. So much joy!
Patricia, this is a gorgeous poem and wish for the world. I share the sentiment – wouldn’t the world be so much better if we all gave to it peaceful children?
Yes! A prayer for the world!
Patricia/Amma, your flight into grandmotherhood is a blessed one. The digital image of you holding your little grandchild is so precious. I remember when my daughter had her first child and she passed her to me. It was a joy that cannot be explained to another grandmother. My girls call me Grandma, a tradition in our family. Morning light tiptoeing into the forest-what a beautiful line that describes what my little girls see each morning. A Grandmother’s Prayer will be inserted into my notebook and placed on my Poetryliscious padlet if you agree. I have thought about the particulars for a poem swap. We are going on a family vacation to the beach with the grandgirls this week so I will have plenty of time to think. Enjoy your new grandchild!
Carol, I’d be honored to have the poem posted on your site. Thank you for asking me. I will look forward to our poetry swap.
Love your images of morning light tiptoeing and birdsong hidden in the canopy!
Thank you, Jessica!
I’m so happy for you! What a wonderful week you’ve had. And I love that your poems perfectly capture that love.
Thank you, Marcie! It’s been a joyous week.
Congratulations! I love that turn at the end from a peaceful world for the child to a peaceful child for the world. Perfect. That’s what we can (hope to) control.
wink-wink … yes, not sure about “controlling” our kids either!