Goodbye to a Friend

Stop, look, and listen; don’t let grief steal your joy.
It is so hard to say goodbye, of course, unless we know it’s temporary.

We can ground our grief in joy. The joy of knowing the distance is fleeting. I remember losing my dad; it was bewildering. Thoughts of him always brought sadness. Then one night, it changed.

It was two years post his passing. I was driving in my car and cramped on my side, unable to breathe and feeling ill! I cradled the steering wheel while driving past a local hospital by the highway. I prayed to God, please, make this pain stop! I prefer home, not a hospital. Well, it kept cramping, getting tighter and worse, when I started talking to my dad. Hey, Dad, God must be busy, and I don’t think He can hear my prayer right now. Can you tap Him on the shoulder and get a girl the help? I felt the relief of the cramp, laughing out loud that my prayer to my dad had worked.

I converse with him like I converse with God. Their proximity is something I adore.
I know that the pain is guttural. Evil prefers disunity to connection. God’s hands are enormous, and He holds every one of our loves in them right along with us until the most brilliant reunion. Prepare for an epic party!

Saying goodbye’s never easy,

Hello seems so far away,

Time will stand still,

In the moments,

When your memory

Plays through their day.

So many things to remember,

The laughter, pure joy.

And the pain.

But they will think of you often,

Knowing you always would say,

Don’t cry, my loves,

I was with you,

In the morning, at noon, and at night.

In the moments we shared,

The times that we cared,

And even the little ole fights.

You can still have me there.

In those moments,

The good ones,

The sad and,

in play.

Just remember to summon my angels,

So they can then bring me your way.

They are here with me now, in the heavens.

They are there on your earth down below.

No matter the pain we are feeling,

One day all this distance will go.

That day we will run with amazement.

When at last, we’re in the same place.

I’ll be the one that is waiting,

With a radiant, smiling face.

The joy that I have is amazing.

And although I miss you the most.

I must say that it’s pretty lovely,

We have the most fabulous host.

His name there is no need to mention.

It’s called out in different ways.

But, no matter how we call Him,

His answer seems to remain.

I will always protect you,

I have loved you all of your days.

So, in your moments of waiting,

Within these hands, you will stay.

So, my loves, try not to be blue,

For the time that lies in between,

Always remember I’m with you,

Even when I cannot be seen.

Though hard to believe,

it is awesome,

and I just want you to know.

There’s no pain or grief where I am now,

close your eyes and I’m there in the glow?

When you remember our moments,

Now I remember them too.

I will cheer as you grow, meant,

I have never left you!

(God Bless You All as you dream of your loved ones and remember, they are close and always in your heart.)