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Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Today

 Today, he would have been 28.

While doing some cleaning and reorganizing
I found a couple of his long-sleeved t-shirts
and held them to my face,
searching for his scent.
It was not there.
And I came across a pair of plaid shorts,
plaid like a country kitchen table cloth.
I smiled and took them from the drawer
to hang in my closet,
a tangible reminder of my grief
and life too soon gone.

Today, I'd get myself to the store
and I'd buy the cheesecake and the Pepsi
(as I did on that day).

Today, I wear my invisible badge
of grief,
invisible in that
it's not a badge everyone can see-
it is a badge that some do not want to see.
But for all who do see,
for those who speak words of kindness over me,
and sit with me,
even after all this time,
I am ever grateful.

For you who do not have to wear
this badge,
who have not been thrown unwillingly and with no gentleness
into this rough club,
whose sons and daughters still walk this earth,
I exhort you to
savor their days.
Do not take lightly the privilege of witnessing the unfolding
 of their lives,
 for there are no guarantees,
even to the young.

11 comments:

  1. I love you. The warmest of hugs to you, today. This is such a powerful piece. There is a beauty and sorrow to it that speaks to the deep. ~ Hope

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    1. Thank you so much, Hope. I made it through the day and then kind of disappeared into another world.

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  2. This is so beautiful. Glad we get to remember him with you.

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    1. Thanks, Rach. I'm glad y'all are here to be with me.

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  3. I am so glad to hear the stories you have told about him. Thank you for allowing us to be present. (o)

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    1. And thank you, Mindy, for being present.

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  4. This makes me smile that kind of smile that holds pain in between the lips. I sit with you. It makes me even willing to hoist a Pepsi in his honor.

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    1. Thank you, Cyn. I've felt your quiet presence sitting with me.

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  5. I love you and I love your words and I wish so very badly that this was not your story.

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    1. Thank you, D. I love you too, and I'm very glad you are here.

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  6. (((annie))) Haven't been around for some time; busy with new school year. But had to send you hugs when I happened by here today. Late, I know but thinking of you and yours.

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