Saying Goodbye

As I look down at you , standing by your bed,

As I replace the cool cloth on your head,

I am reminded of all you have done for me,

And wonder who, without you, I would be,

My mind goes racing from one memory to another,

Pausing on the when you said you would be my mother.

Then to the one of a pink horse, one only you and I share,

And of the times when you dressed me with care.

So many times you took me by the hand,

You taught me to pray, to walk and to stand.

But there is so much more between you and I,

So much I remember as I sit by and watch you die.

God gives me the strength to do what needs to be done,

As the hours pass by, one by one.

You need medication now every hour,

And I think of you, and your special flower.

Each time I am in, I say my goodbyes,

Most times with tears in my eyes.

Time seems to be dragging, yet going so fast,

And this precious time together will not last.

Your breathing turns labored, into such a struggle,

You will never have any more schedules to juggle.

The time is close, I can feel the anointing in your room,

And I can feel the presence of your new bridegroom.

My mind goes to butterflies, what a precious creature,

And if studied, how one can be a great teacher.

I look at you and see the struggle that will end for you soon,

And think of a caterpillar struggling in its own cocoon,

How you both started in such a different form,

Then how you change through storm after storm.

The caterpillar takes time and carefully makes it’s shell,

And I see how your body could be considered as one as well.

I think of how when it is time, a butterfly breaks free,

And how soon for you that’s what it will be.

I think of how soon you will dance on the streets of gold,

And you will be free of you body that has grown old.

Yes, as I sit here I think of you taking your last breath,

And I find myself thanking God for you death.

I am thanking Him that He gave us so much to share,

I know if I will look into my heart, you will still be there.

He gave us each other, for His purpose, His plans,

And allowed us to be each others greatest fans.

Yes, I will always remember what all you have done for me,

And I will always wonder who, without you, I would be,

And I thank God for the honor of standing by your bed,

And for getting to replace the cool cloth on your head.
Tami Parker 9-3-09