Tag: death
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Two Year Anniversary
I woke this morning,At a hotel in Connecticut again,Having slept so well,With my daughter in the bed beside me,Her injured leg propped on three pillows,Feeling grateful I could do this one thing,To ease her pain and bring her comfort.So why did I feel a pit in my stomach?This pressure in my chest?A feeling of dread?And…
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One Year
Dear Mom, I can’t believe it’s been a year since I’ve seen you, hugged you, heard your laugh. I miss the way you made small talk with everyone, not sure who was family and who was caregiver, but simply leading with kindness. I miss the way you laughed so easily at yourself and what others…
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I’ll Miss You
While at WonderSpaces in Philadelphia this past weekend, I came upon an interactive art installation. The project asked museumgoers to take a white rolled slip of paper from the wall. On the paper, we were to write words we wish we’d said to someone, whether a comeback, final words, or the perfectly worded expression. We…
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National Poetry Month-Touch (Rondine)
Touch-what our skin craves and our soul desires. When was the last time she had received it? It had been 20 years since my dad passed, Sure, there were hugs and kisses when greeting, But the youngest grandchild was all grown up, Leaving her lap barren for a decade, Touch. I often rubbed her arms,…
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Their Anniversary in Heaven
Yesterday was my parents’ anniversary. Were they both alive, it would have been their 64th. My mom outlived my dad by 20 years, so this was their first anniversary reunited. I wondered a lot yesterday about what it would be like. I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of Heaven. I’ve always hoped there is…
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Her Last Day
I can tell right away that things have changed, Something is different about her, Hazel eyes locked on the ceiling, She doesn’t even sense me, Shallow comes her breathing, Her arms reach straight up, Her lips-a smile, Unknown words, Eyes close, Sleep. An Etheree poem, starting at 10 syllables and working down to 1 Photo:…
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My Birth Day
My birthday was last week, and over dinner a friend asked, “How was your first birthday without your mother?” So unexpected was the question; tears immediately filled my eyes. It was in that moment that I realized the source of my melancholy throughout the day. Could I celebrate a birthday if the woman who gave…
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Waiting to Exhale
Holding my breath. That’s what it’s felt like these three long weeks since my mom passed. We’d waited to hold the memorial service to coincide with her family’s scheduled visit. It made perfect sense. It would give us plenty of time to prepare. It was a sound choice. Did I recognize I was holding my…
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A Eulogy
This Sunday, we will be memorializing my 89 year old mother in a ceremony at her church of 63 years. She and I had a complicated relationship in many ways. I have spent my lifetime trying to peel back the layers of what was hers and what is mine. Ultimately, I found such hope and…
The Journey Inward 