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Pearl Simmons, died unexpectedly on August 21, 2002, four days after contracting a bacterial infection, leaving behind her husband and three young children (pictured above). Pearl's life passion was helping children develop their potential. She taught a "Positive Parenting" series at Children's' Hospital in Pittsburgh, and wrote the "Parenting Today" column in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. She believed that every child was special, and that by treating children right you would get the best from them. Pearl's passing at age 42 leaves a great void in her family, her many students, and the Jewish community in which she was so active. She wrote the following inspirational poem in 1997. * * * "Letting Go" I can't protect you any more. But my power as a mother goes only so far. When you were a baby, I'd hold you tight, And when you were a toddler and scraped your knee, I was always the one you turned to then. You're my little boy, but you're growing up fast. I long to protect you, to shield you from pain. You're still so young, but you've already found I tell you not to worry, that it'll be alright I try to be there when the going gets tough. I realize it's time to start letting go. I'm letting go, but I'll never be far.
Published: Tuesday, September 17, 2002
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I can relate to this poem so well
I am going through "letting go" right now and this poem touched my heart. My only daughter and I have been so close all her life. We were more like sisters. She has gone to college and has a boyfriend, whereas, we have grown apart. I know these are normal things to go through but I miss her and I miss the times we had together. I like the part, as you step forward, I'll take two steps back...Thats just what we have to do and trust God with the rest :)
(2) Sad mom 5/18/2007 9:30:00 AM
I feel this poem!
It is exactly how I feel at this point, writing this, with tears running down my face. My daughter was everything to me, when we had our other daughter, when she was 10, she slowly became her own person without emotion towards me. I feel so sad as she turns fifteen. How her friends are much more important to her. It saddens me because I see other daughters close to their mothers and mine just wants to be on her own......
(3) Patrick 10/7/2005
Very Moving
My mom is 91y/o, and thugh I have had her in my life for a long time I could hear her saying these words to me. It brought me to tears as I visualized her saying these words to me. She suffers from dementia. What a gifted writer; one that has moved the heart of this son.