Will I know when you go?
Will I feel the loss of your soul?
I lie here and it’s so hard to know
I’m losing you with each breath that flow
I can’t sleep, I feel death too near
I wonder is it death you fear?
Or leaving the ones who are here
Loved ones that you hold so dear
Oh mother I knew you so very well
Then Alzheimer’s put you through hell
Somewhere in that place you chose to dwell
You were always there if we’d ring the right bell
You handled this disease with such charm and grace
For so many years no one even noticed it in your face
You were wise enough to know when to smile in the right place
Those close to you knew your mind was being ravaged and erased
You never seemed to take the news all that bad
Until the very end we never even saw you be sad
You just lived for one day at a time and seemed glad
Eternally grateful to God giving me the gracious mother I had
Those of you who have parents who are growing old
Remember who kept you warm when you could have been cold
Keep in mind the love you give the children that you have and hold
And remember that your parents love was once too on you bestowed
My sister gave up seven years of her life to care for her mother
Oh yes it was very hard and so many times a terrible bother
"I need to work" is a good excuse to put them in one home or another
Do you think your child could do that to you, their own father or mother?
My sister would say it was worth every ounce of her hardship and pain
She gave up so much but it was always our own mother that stood to gain
We valued her like the precious gem she was her request was home she remain
We made the difference in the quality of life it was her spirit we sustain
Alzheimer’s disease stole my mother’s mind but that same heart was still in there
Through such simple things we learned that we had still so much yet to share
We took her everywhere with us like nothing was wrong, she didn’t seem to care
She loved sun, pretty flowers, animals, babies, fat folks she loved the fresh air
If mom were in a nursing home there is so much we would have missed and lost
The laughs and smiles shared over such silly things she did just don’t have a cost
In nursing homes unfamiliar with surroundings or just the pain of being tossed
They retreat inside, so afraid, they freeze up and a warm heart turns to frost
We are so proud of our father who was there for all of us from the very start
Such love he had for our mother while he fed her each meal with a tender heart
In this life you can take that yellow lemon make it sweeter or let it stay tart
In loyalty, a sweet love story, my dad stayed with mom "until death do we part"
Author notes
My dad and mom were divorced for many years but he was always in our lives and he came back and assisted us with our mother's care until the end. She reached a stage two years earlier where she started to wander, she was wandered looking for her husband, so dad came home to live with her and my sister. Dad lived in my sisters small efficiency apt. downstairs. Mom never wandered again and she lived for another two years happily together with my dad. I swear after seeing the movie "The Notebook" I know this was my parents love story.
A contest entry
- Do you have emotions? by Forgotten Anomaly.
550 points, ended October 27, 182 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Make Me Cry by The-Scene-One.
400 points, ended June 15, 16 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 11 of 11
-
Hugs
Life is a test and in some ways the biggest is loosing those we love. My parents and my oldest sister have now gone to what I believe is a better place and I know in my heart that I will see them again one day. At these times we grieve for our loss but perhaps we should be joyful for their passing into a world of love where pain does not exist.
God Bless you ((hugs))
Cherry xxxx
-
-
Thank you
There is not one of us who could have stood to watch her suffer, so we are grateful that she finally went home and is in peace now. Thank you for your kind thoughts and comments, it all helps.
-
-
DawnBaby
She is at peace now ((hugs)) you are all in my prayers
God Bless
Cherry xxx
-
-
-
Oh honey
Bless your heart and hers and know she found heaven far before she moved on and with the love of your Dad made this dream come true . We all feel their tug on our hearts when they pass honey and thats because when we are born they give us a piece of their soul that inner light for the time of passing for us all and that light guides us back together to show us the way . Bless your heart I just heard your mom has gone home honey but believe me in time ahead of you you will feel her about you in many ways .That certain look as you pass a mirror and the shadow on the wall a memory as you were a child . You will at times smell her perfume or a touch to your heart that will embrace you into tears yet it will ease the pain within . God Bless honey and if you need to talk Im here for you
-
-
Thank you
You write so beautifully I am in tears again but only because I know what you are saying is so true. I am so fortunate to have such wonderful people around me here on AP, it has seriously helped to read all the words of comfort offered. I so appreciate your beautiful words and blessings. I know now that there are angels out there surrounding me now. Bless you.
-
-
Beautiful words !
Dawn...this is such a touching write. We lost my Mum's Mother to Alzheimers. It was such a painful thing to watch that once vibrant, fun loving lady go through it
I don't have the right words to say to you to ease your pain.
Your honest spilling of your feelings in this write are very plain to the reader. I wish you well
-
-
Thank you
I am sorry you also went through this dreaded disease, it is so cruel. There are no words that could ease my pain so do not feel bad. I feel I have suffered a tremendous loss and my heart has a huge hole in it, like a part of me is also gone. I Thank you for your kind words and applause.
-
-
When we talked I was sure that you will come back and that you write about your mama. Still can hear your voice full of love talking about her and your father. This poem is your perfect introspection as well as a flow of love you put inside each and every line. Still, in her age, she is so beautiful lady and I know how hard it is to accept all troubles she went through. Not to mention your own care.. Very touching and honest lines of poetry. I hope one day our kids will do the same for us.
~Sonja~
-
-
Thank you
She wasn't gone when I wrote it, but I knew she would be very soon. She died yesterday very peacefully. I feel numb, I feel paralyzed and so very sad. Thank you for being there for me Sonja, it means the world to me. I also hope people who have parents with this disease realize that even though they may have Alzheimer's they are still our parents and still so much more love to share throughout this terrible disease. Nursing homes scare them so and we are so glad we honored our mother's wishes to remain at home. Although it was very difficult I am proud of myself and dad and sister for sticking with it up to the very end.
Love you Sis.
-
-
You did it!!!
You know my thoughts on this already.
I like the last stanza also
My thoughts are with you through this time Sis...
always here for you
God Bless
-
-
Thank you!
It has been so long since I have posted a poem, it feels rather strange even responding to a review! I always appreciate your assistance and I will use it as I usually do. Thank you Sis! This is probably the hardest thing I have ever been through in my life. I have had writers block for months. Almost gave up my gold membership but instead paid Kevin just to keep my seat warm for many months. Are you listening Kevin? LOL God Bless!
-
Adding your comment:
1 - 11 of 11
