Today marks 1 year since BIRDDOG went to Heaven. We spent today eating at one of her favorite diners, going to her favorite park, sharing our favorite Mom stories, and eating her favorite ice cream (Butter Pecan). It was a wonderful day honoring Mom! I also wrote her a poem. I'm not a poet, but I Googled different ways to honor someone's anniversary date of passing on, and writing a poem was one of the ideas. I haven't tried writing a poem in many years, but I thoroughly enjoyed this process, especially since it is for my Mom. I also wanted to include the people who were with us today in the poem. Soooooooo, here it is... this poem is for you Mom!! I love you more!
(This is the picture of the actual Pergola and swings for my Mom... and at the very bottom are 2 Bible verses that have encouraged me deeply since Dec 15, 2022)
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POEM: AN EMPTY SWING AT THE PERGOLA
I built a Pergola for you today
Attached to the house I planned for you to stay
I hung 2 benches so we could swing
While we laugh... or cry... or dare try to sing
We would reminisce about years gone by
Oh Mom, why did you have to die
I dreamt of all the things we would do
Till the ripe old age of a hundred and two
Whether of fun or of mundane or of things that did embarrass
We would talk of the good old days of our life on Rose Terrace
With lemonade we would sit and sip
And chuckle about all the words Dad did invent
While savoring the taste of a ripe Georgia peach
We would roar of Traci's teenage drives along Clearwater Beach
Licking butter pecan ice cream so fast we would choke
As we cackle of all I did each year as a practical joke
You treasured each gag like it was your own special treat
Even that time I put Vaseline all over the toilet seat
Then Carson was born and your life overflowed
Much like your plumbing when he flushed his undies down the commode
Dave would visit every now and again
To lay on the sofa from end to end
Laurie came to your house for a few weeks to stay
But after 10 years you realized she's not going away
Now your grandson talks of making Lauren his spouse
And building brand new memories in your old lovely house
So many memories I thought we would share
Especially of good neighbors who really did care
So many stories I thought we would retell
Especially of Jesus making our souls quite well
As our benches swung back and forth
We would relive our travels from west, east, south, and north
But the Alzheimer's I did not foresee
That would slowly take you away from me
Alone I now swing beside the window sill
Yet there is a sadness I no longer feel
Heaven is real, and not a sad second choice
Mom you are healed and your soul does rejoice
I built a Pergola for you today
Attached to the house I planned for you to stay
I hung 2 benches so we could swing
While we laugh... or cry... or dare try to sing
But God offered you a mansion and so much more
With unimaginable things He still has in store
So I sit under the Pergola and swing all alone
Comforted knowing you're now full of joy in your forever home
THE END
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“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” - 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT)
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"In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." - John 14:1-3 (NKJV)
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