today
on what will be for many
just another thursday
just another thursday
a mother will see her son's face
for the last time on this earth
for the last time on this earth
she will spend her morning
standing painfully upright
sodden tissues clutched in her hand
watching an endless line
of friends
family
school chums
move so solemnly byto hug and weep
share
reminisce
about a boy who now lies
so still and silent
she will wonder
for just a moment
how she can possibly be standing here
in this funeral home
looking over at what was once her vivid son
and how can he be lying in that casket never to get up again
this can't be
can't be happening
willing herself to look away
catching her breath
she will turn back to the next person in line
to hug and weep
share
reminisce
only later
after the beautiful service
where her Lord's name will be glorified
proclaimed
testified
will she go home
with her husband
and son
the three who were once four
will sit quietly
hands and arms linked
touching
to make certain of each other
so tired
sad
remarking that the long day they dreaded
is now nearly over
how many people thronged the sanctuary
how many folks loved their Sam
and his Savior
exhausted
the mother will make one stop before bed
entering his room
to drop onto an empty bed
stare at the neat stacks of ready school supplies
new clothes
unworn
a pair of scuffed sneakers
forgotten on the floor
she will clutch the pillow where his curly head rested
just the other night
press it to her face
inhale
searching for his scent
praying that it lingers there
for her to capture this small essence of her child
who was supposed to be right here
sleeping off another thursday practice
she will not
let herself think about where he sleeps now
instead
an anguished cry
muffled against layers of feather and cloth
whywhywhy
pleasehelpme
and the One who mourned the untimely death of His own child
will intercede on her behalf
breath into her
some measure of
peace for the night
hope for morning
finally
she will go to her own bed
wrap up in her husband's arms
and go to sleep to dream her dreams of heaven
and that shining day
she will see her golden child again
{alison}
p.s. I wrote this post for a mother I never met, remembering another mother's pain. My sister's beautiful son, Nathan died so suddenly one sunny Wednesday several years ago, and it changed our world forever. We grieve him still, but we do not grieve as those who have no hope. Thank God.
standing painfully upright
sodden tissues clutched in her hand
watching an endless line
of friends
family
school chums
move so solemnly byto hug and weep
share
reminisce
about a boy who now lies
so still and silent
she will wonder
for just a moment
how she can possibly be standing here
in this funeral home
looking over at what was once her vivid son
and how can he be lying in that casket never to get up again
this can't be
can't be happening
willing herself to look away
catching her breath
she will turn back to the next person in line
to hug and weep
share
reminisce
only later
after the beautiful service
where her Lord's name will be glorified
proclaimed
testified
will she go home
with her husband
and son
the three who were once four
will sit quietly
hands and arms linked
touching
to make certain of each other
so tired
sad
remarking that the long day they dreaded
is now nearly over
how many people thronged the sanctuary
how many folks loved their Sam
and his Savior
exhausted
the mother will make one stop before bed
entering his room
to drop onto an empty bed
stare at the neat stacks of ready school supplies
new clothes
unworn
a pair of scuffed sneakers
forgotten on the floor
she will clutch the pillow where his curly head rested
just the other night
press it to her face
inhale
searching for his scent
praying that it lingers there
for her to capture this small essence of her child
who was supposed to be right here
sleeping off another thursday practice
she will not
let herself think about where he sleeps now
instead
an anguished cry
muffled against layers of feather and cloth
whywhywhy
pleasehelpme
and the One who mourned the untimely death of His own child
will intercede on her behalf
breath into her
some measure of
peace for the night
hope for morning
finally
she will go to her own bed
wrap up in her husband's arms
and go to sleep to dream her dreams of heaven
and that shining day
she will see her golden child again
{alison}
p.s. I wrote this post for a mother I never met, remembering another mother's pain. My sister's beautiful son, Nathan died so suddenly one sunny Wednesday several years ago, and it changed our world forever. We grieve him still, but we do not grieve as those who have no hope. Thank God.