NO SUCH THING
The month of May is Walk for Alzheimer’s month.
“I thought I was prepared for her leaving the final time. I guess that’s not a real thing, being prepared. I miss her so much. “
–Robin Stewart Stone, grieving for her mother, lost to Alzheimer’s.
NO SUCH THING
H. W. Bryce
I thought I was prepared for her leaving,
I had said so many goodbyes, I miss her so much.
I guess that is not a real thing, being prepared.
“I thought I was prepared for her leaving,
She had been ailing for so long that I had
Become inured to the pain. I had said so.
I had said so many goodbyes, I miss her so much.
I miss her strength, her love and hugs, and such.
I miss our times in the kitchen, our coffee cups.
“I guess that is not a real thing, being prepared.
For with her goodbye sigh, I was broken and crushed.
I wept like an injured animal in a trap.
“I thought I was prepared for her leaving,
I even stopped visiting for a week
Just to prove it to myself, but I love her so.
I had said a thousand goodbyes, I miss her so much.
It’s the little things that grab me, reduce me to tears,
The way she fussed me without fussing, nursed the pups.
“I guess that is not a real thing, being prepared.
For try as I will, try as I might I wear the mourner’s cap.
I guess motherly love is an eternal embracing trap.
I thought I was strong, I thought I would last,
I thought I was prepared for that final goodbye,
But my heart broke with her farewell sigh.
I try so hard, I pray and practice, but I miss her so.
I guess that is not a real thing, being prepared.
I guess for all of eternity, we’re ever paired.
— —
Image from Pixabay (free photos, with thanks)
