Goodbye Little Charlotte: The Pain and Promise of Inner Child Love

Alas, the recent break-up of a nine year relationship was painful enough.  But then my ex-partner’s daughter indefinitely suspended (more realistically, permanently ended) weekly, joyful 3-5 minute Skypeing and my periodic visiting with her 3 ½ year old daughter (i.e., my ex’s grandchild).  The mother felt “confused” by the split (initiated by her mother, my ex) along with being “tired of saying ‘Yes’ when she wanted to say ‘No’”…well, the loss, pain, and grief go very, very deep.

Clearly, unconditional feelings were being shared with Charlotte, emotions that, sadly, at an early age in my life, were mostly overrun by an invasive species – subterranean household tensions and trauma.  Also worth noting, I’ve never had such a close and sustained relationship with a young child.  Whatever is the opposite of the Pandora’s Box Effect (minus the final burst of hope)…that’s what my truly animated connection with Charlotte opened up in me.  Here’s one way I know to keep a spirited if not spiritual love (as well as that proverbial hope) alive!

 

Goodbye Little Charlotte:  The Pain and Promise of Inner Child Love

The Mother’s missile punctured a heart
The Daughter’s bomb ripped it apart.
At the “last supper” we dined a la carte
Of course, for dessert – one poisoned tart:

“You and my mother drifted apart
Now I’m at sea minus a chart…
No more horsy rides without the family cart
Forget my daughter; try to be smart.”

Oh little Charlotte
Do we know what we know?
Oh what a joy
To laugh as you grow.
The cards have been played
Alas, I must go…
Please never forget
I do love you so!

FORGET Lil Charlotte!!!...Oh No, bless her heart
My “Bumper Jumper” – crazy love from the start!
“Man…smother your fire…give up the part
Your ashes of grief just might leave a mark!”

Perhaps in heaven “better angels” will hark…
Charlotte, for you, my heart’s Central Park:
Please come and play; take flight on a lark
Then down to earth to draw monsters with chalk.

Around the lake watching ducks as we walk
Music to my ears your self-assured talk.
Oh let’s be silly – a moon howl, then a bark
Such a pure love will make light of the dark!

Oh little Charlotte
I can’t come along.
How could sweet love
Be viewed so wrong?
I pray that one day
You will hear this song
And my river of tears
Will help me be strong!

Oh little Charlotte
Do we know what we know?
Oh what a joy
You make my heart glow.
The cards have been played
Alas, I must go…
Please never forget
I did love you so!

© Mark Gorkin  2015

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Mark Gorkin, MSW, LICSW, "The Stress Doc" ™, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is a national keynote and webinar speaker and "Motivational Humorist & Team Communication Catalyst" known for his interactive, inspiring and FUN programs for both government agencies and major corporations.  The Doc is a training and Stress Resilience Consultant for The Hays Companies, an international corporate insurance and wellness brokerage group.  He has also led “Resilience, Team Building and Humor” programs for various branches of the Armed Services.  Mark, a former Stress and Violence Prevention Consultant for the US Postal Service, is the author of Resiliency Rap, Practice Safe Stress, and of The Four Faces of Anger.  See his award-winning, USA Today Online "HotSite" – www.stressdoc.com – called a "workplace resource" by National Public Radio (NPR).  For more info on the Doc's "Practice Safe Stress" programs or to receive his free e-newsletter, email stressdoc@aol.com or call 301-875-2567.