World Childless Week

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A Bunch of Good Things Here

In my story, I will tell you: I am childless, divorced, pansexual, low-income. Endure

chronic disease: Thyroid, parathyroid, fibroids, osteoporosis, most recently, Meniere’s disease.

This is a story.

 

Oh yes, I am a recovering alcoholic, forgot to say.

 

My niece says I am a “good listener.” She feels safe and comfortable talking to me.

I listen to a world that does not listen to me.

I hear their stories: the births, the children, the grandchildren, extended vacations

to the south of France. Side trip to the north of Scotland. The fortieth wedding anniversary.

 

In my story, I will tell you: they ask few questions about my life.

“Are they not interested?” “Do they pity me?”

“Are they too busy, stressed, rushed, preoccupied

to try?”

 

In my story, I will tell you: I wasn’t sure I wanted children. I did have a spouse at one time.

In my story, I will tell you: I tried to have children, but my body was ill, perhaps too old

by that time.

 

In my story, I will tell you: my story is not done. I am living and breathing a chock-full life: the one

I rebuilt out of the dirt and debris.

 

I will tell you: I am a poet, an aunt, a friend, a sister, and a writer. I have a Ph.D. I help people, serve communities, fight for justice in the world.

 

A bunch of good things here.

Sandy Sjollema

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash