Aging and ending are
oft avoided stories
The pain, the loss of
independence
The fear of future
always present
Confrontive nature
replacing meek and calm.
Onlookers see, but do
not really know that
Beloved child tries
to help, is rebuffed
Offers of aid not
given off the cuff
Great love enters thought
with every assist.
Mornings awaken with
great possibility
Fresh air, birds’ calls,
gentle breezes blow
Deep breaths,
twinkling eyes, promises sow
Before talking between
family members.
First word, bite or
balm, the silence broken
Confused thought, intention
mixed, gasping
Spoken word a dart,
wound fresh, hurt lasts
Then silence comes as
confusion takes its place.
Time slips on, sun downhills,
bright eyes dim
Sluggish and tired, weight
of years, head sags
Feet plod forward, shoulders
droop, heart lags
Though body weary, mind
asks where went the day.
Time shifts forward, Spring,
Summer, Fall, Winter
Crisp was the day, how
children did play
Mem’ries so vivid, leaves,
blossoms, gone gray
Sadness conflicts
with gaiety of life’s Spring.
Puzzled, broken,
aging, life’s tokens of time
Questions in eyes
beam as tears glisten
Unasked thoughts,
fears, endless wondering
Until last night’s
breath and thought gently caress.
The soft touch, the
caress of time’s gentle kiss
Leaves faint shadows
of life’s mem’ries made
Echo they down fam’ly’s
hist’ry laid
As quilt pieces of
lives lived out and replayed.
Lives go on in the memories of those who survive. At times,
faint whispers and others laughter, but echo, they do. Those memories show love
for the one so dear. They show respect for that one though confused, worn, dimmed,
and aged. We must make sure love and respect flow toward this one so dear while
he, she, is with us within heart’s beat within breath’s whisper he can hear.
Whether in youth’s gaiety or life’s sun-downhilling days, love that one before
his, her, sunset draws near.
“Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.” (Proverbs 17:6 [NLT])
“Stand
up in the presence of the elderly, and show respect for the aged. Fear your God.
I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:32 [NLT])
“Listen
to your father, who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is
old.” (Proverbs 23:22 [NLT])
“Therefore,
we do not lose heart,; but indeed if our outward man is decaying, yet our inner
man is being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16 [NASB])
