The wait continues and my emotions go up and down.Today the chaplain visited. She told us we have good coping mechanisms. Though I don’t always feel it I know that it is true, and you are all helping. Prayer, long morning walks listening to the kookaburras and photographing the cockatoos on the roof, sharing the story on my blog and the writing of poetry all help. And now I find myself grieving for the things I could/should be doing – like preparing for the Celtic retreat next week and getting ready to go on vacation with Tom. Life does go on but it feels the fabric has been ripped.
Tears, tears, tears,
So many tears.
I shed them for my mother
And her suffering.
I shed them for myself
And the turmoil of my pain.
I shed them for my friend
Fresh diagnosed with cancer.
Tears that drain me dry,
Tears that shout this is not right,
Death does not conquer all,
Christ’s sacrifice is not in vain.
God has the final victory,
Death’s slow embrace,
Will give way to God’s eternal light.
8 comments
The moment of death is of the shortest time, a split second and Our precious Lord stands (and has always been standing since the beginning) waiting to take the hand of His beloved child and welcome them home. He assists our stepping into the Kingdom and all the pain of the journey is left behind when we slip the mortal coil. x
Thanks Alice – you are right the stepping into God’s eternal world is the shortest time. The process is the longest and the hardest.
Christine you are constantly in my prayers. As I read your poem, Tears, Tears, Tears the Lord brought to mind a devotional that I read in Our Daily Bread many years ago. The writer was talking about a man who was dying and when his pastor came to him the dying man asked the pastor to pray for his family not for him. He explained that he was going home to be with the Lord but that his family would be just beginning the walk through the valley of the shadow of death. That has always stayed with me, the truth in it is so real.
I know you are feeling the comforting embrace of our Sweet Lord for He is with you comforting you.
Amen.
Dear Christine,
I am so sorry for this prolonged period of mourning and all the touch points of grief, a jumble of colliding emotions that pushes to the surface in your tears. I do not know what it is to say goodbye, for a time, to a parent, but I imagine there is a loneliness on top of the tearing and loss, when the older generation no longer goes before. We send you much love, thoughts and our best prayers for some sweetness in the parting.
Much love,
Michelle and Steve
Thanks Michelle. You guys have had your own griefs over “death” in your lives these last couple of years. Different but just as impacting. Appreciate your prayers and supportiveness.
Painfully beautiful, Christine. Continuing to hold you, and the whole family, in prayer. How I wish there was not suffering in this world. May our precious Lord continually surround you with His gracious and amazing love; comforting you moment-by-moment.
Thanks Joanie, I appreciate your prayers very much