Friday, October 11, 2013

When a part of our world stops...

     Death's knock comes to the door of all and leaves in its wake the family and friends who must continue to function in their everyday lives.  For the grieving, it seems that everyone should stop whatever they are doing, all activity should be suspended, and somehow, the world should just stop.
      I have experienced loss repeatedly in my life.   Now I am at an age where I must stand by and watch helplessly as I see others lose loved ones.  Those left behind  seek comfort in various forms and while the sorrow may abate for short periods, it often rears up and strikes a disabling blow at unexpected times and places. The  survivors must try to strike a bargain with grief that allows them to hurt - but only enough to resume functionality.
     This poem came to me today as I learned of the death of my friend's son.  (Surely we are still friends despite the miles and time between us).  I remember how it feels to lose someone - no, not how it felt - how it feels.  While the passage of time makes living and going and doing more possible, the grief is palpable and bubbles just below the surface of carefully checked emotions.
     Please know that you are not alone my friend.  There are others like you all around who are doing their best to "stay strong", "keep going", and "move on" as everyone tells us we should.  Even though a part of our world has stopped, there is hope, there is still joy to be found in living, and there is love that never, ever ends.

My world has stopped
     Yet the earth continues to spin.
My heart is shattered into tiny, sharp fragments
      Yet blood continues to course through my veins.
My tears have all been cried,
     Yet sadness remains  my unshakable companion.
My mind feels dull and heavy
     Yet the memories we made come rushing at me faster than I can grasp them.
My emotions are blunted and spent,
     Yet my love for you continues to grow every moment.
My appetite has vanished
     Yet I hunger for just one more talk with you.
My nights are short and sleepless,
     Yet I constantly dream of being with you.
My time with you has ended
     Yet eternity's promise endures forever.

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