14 Comments
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Ally's avatar

Rachel, this is beautiful. I loved the way you took something as ordinary as "sun damage" and turned it into a meditation on memory, aging, and God's unchanging love. The line, "As if the sun could ever do me wrong," made me smile because it captures how childhood memories can soften even the things we later learn to fear. And ending with your daughters spinning beneath the same sun was such a hopeful reminder that we don't have to live in regret over what has passed. Thank you for this lovely poem. It made me nostalgic and grateful all at once. ☀️💛

Emily Louise's avatar

"As if the sun could ever do me wrong" LOVE LOVE LOVE this poem and these sentiments.

Sunscreen is one of my favorite smells because it means summer and sunshine and the beach and picnics and walks and everything outside. I've had skin cancer and I also have no regrets about any of it. This summer I ordered 5 different sunscreen sticks and I'm having fun deciding on my favorite, and I got the biggest, most ridiculous hat I could find at Target. And I'm still gonna be in the sunshine every chance I get!

Mary Renee Jackson's avatar

Rachel, every line is perfect. What a poem.

Rachel Joy Welcher's avatar

Thank you Mary! Means so much coming from a writer like you.

Mary Renee Jackson's avatar

❤️

Sara Wallace's avatar

Beautiful snapshot of childhood summers - the same memories we want to give our kids.

A drop in the clouds's avatar

“As if the sun could ever do me wrong”, ”the shades of red She used to paint across / my eyelids when I squeezed them shut tight" , some of my fav lines. Got me nostalgic and wanting more of the sun even with freckles too…

Michelle Bellamy's avatar

Read this minutes after finding out my dad is dealing with his 4th battle with skin cancer. I had my first last year. The price I paid for amazing memories. Incredible poem ❤️

Jenny Tokheim Hubbard's avatar

This is lovely. And also, wear that sun protection....my 37 year old face had a melanoma removed from it this spring.... too many years in the southern sun.

Amber Taube's avatar

My doctor told me to hide from the sun because of my auto-immune disease, and I JUST CAN'T DO IT. Trying to lean into sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses instead. I hope she will be satisfied!

Loved the use of scripture in this. Just beautiful.

Riley Morsman's avatar

"the shades of red She used to paint across / my eyelids when I squeezed them shut tight" ❤️

Dua's avatar

Honestly beautiful poem. ✨🪄🌸 It is heartfelt and leave a lasting impact.

Lawrence Omoregie Jr's avatar

I love this gorgeous piece Rachel

i’ll be reading more of you, I'm glad I found you

Totally subbing you

I'd like if you could check out my pieces and kindly connect (Sub) back if it resonates.

https://lawrenceomoregiejr.substack.com/p/good-enough?r=3g3d4k&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

I would love your thoughts

Do have a great read and a lovely day As we grow together here here