Here is a thing that is beautiful:
your life, and what it proved,
what it establishes, even now —
that no one ever has to think
their presence is expendable,
their friendship unneeded
or unwanted
You are here
with your ready hug
and your deep empathy,
and you have showed us
that no one needs to wait to love
and no one has to wait
to be beloved
So we go back along the weaving of a life,
the places in the past where strands have tangled,
we pick them up and lay them back in place
gently and deftly, as your hands always moved
We set things right
all along the years,
we feel in doing this
that you are here.
©Wendy Mulhern
August 8, 2018
I needed this today <3
Wendy, I love this so much. Your words are so finely crafted, yet so simple and true. They really honor your daughter and remind me of who she was. I did not know her all that well. I remember her as a little girl, mostly, at school. Good memories of her lovely face, and her calmness. I remember her singing in the chorus at Meridian Park.
These words really struck me…. “No one ever has to think their presence is expendable…”. “No one needs to wait to love…”
My sister in law passed this week, on Monday. And we are grieving the loss of her. Your words strike a familiar chord in that they could easily be about Julie, as well. She was an authentic soul who cared deeply. And who is so missed. But she needed to go, to end her suffering. But for us, she went too soon.
My heart goes out to you, and Edward, and Eric. I hope you are all OK. Love to you all. -Janis
Thank you, Janis. I wish you peace and deepening love in your journey through your grief.
Thank you, Wendy.
Awww. “You are here.”, so lovely and so true. And that pic of her hug delighting your Mom! Even amidst your many wonderful poems sharing this experience’s journey, this shines. Thank you.
Thank you.