There comes a time when you accept
what you have run from for so long;
the unavoidable, predictable certainty
that disease progresses and your role
of caregiver has only begun and will end
in searing grief. You fear you won’t be
able to survive the days and nights of
witnessing such pain and deterioration
of one so strong and capable who always
wanted to take care of you, even during
the times he didn’t know how. Then you
ask yourself “Am I really strong enough
to take care of him to the end?”He hates
even the small things you do for him
he looks down at you with tearful eyes
while you pull on his socks, tie his shoes
He says, “I’m so sorry you have to do this”
then you say “You’d do the same for me
Sweet Man. I don‘t mind at all” . Silently
you pray “God give me strength when
the small things become larger things.”
Then you put on a smile, cook breakfast
and struggle not the think about the day
he won’t be there to smile for anymore.
For anyone searching for the meaning of true love, look no further you have captured it here. Here in this "resignation" to the final battle and ultimate defeat at the hands of a formidable foe. Your compassion and devotion are the cradle of a special love Belle. Through his pain and yours, your love endures and I am drawn to your story with great admiration for efforts to console and refresh his dignity. I bid you peace love and joy my dear friend. Jon Michael
This is a beautiful write La Belle and although it brought back a lot of sad memories it also reminded me of a lot of wonderful memories that only I got to share. When my mother took cancer I became her constant bedside companion for three months and though I cried myself to sleep many times with my head on her bed, I would do it again in a heartbeat.
fee
In the end, Belle, pain and disease win
despite our best efforts to fight them off
but that doesn't mean a caring heart should stop caring,
and yours certainly doesn't, or a face stop smiling
through it all.
In admiration,
John
Reviewed by Cheryl Koomoa (Reader)
Reviewed on April 11, 2011
How I relate to this and it happened to me twice in one lifetime. Thanks for expressing it so well!
Such a heart touching poem. You know you do what your heart tells you to do, and you just won't ever go in the wrong direction...You are a very compassionate woman, and your soul is very pure.
The sad story of life and endurance. Sometimes the difficult patches can be so hurtful the scars remain, but it is what we must do, what we want to do to offer comfort to another. This is the time to place another before ourselves, all the while hiding the hurt that dwells within. You leave me speechless and now deep in thought. I pray you are well. God bless...
In so few lines you have penned what lies in the creases of your all-giving heart...those lines say it all..."Then you put on a smile and struggle not to think about the day...he won't be there to smile for anymore" This you know is true and also it is not "the end" he ever envisioned it to be. We all believe from the start that we will always be there to be strong and able to care for the ones we love until something unexpected happens to us. We are forced to swallow our pride and resign to be taken care of instead and the caretaker is resigned to continue their duty regardless of difficulty and pledge of being there through sickness and in health to the very end. The Creator sees and rewards our efforts when we are pure in heart.
Amor
I too am deeply moved by this, Belle, beyond words I'm afraid,
except to say that you are one beautiful, caring woman whose
heart (and words) cry out with compassion, love, and unbearable
pain. I wish for you the comfort you seek. -gene.
This one gets to me to the core. Having been unable to get out of bed in the morning for 18 years has put a lot of stress on those who love me. There is no kinder gift than the caregiver. Let's hope that the care will not be long more that the cure happens in care is no longer needed.
So tender and loving. The facing of the cold reality of what the end will be like. My heart and prayers go out to you. God Bless, Belle,
God bless. So moving. Liz
As Christine has already said, to love and cherish so and with such committed compassion and devotion is a true testament not only of relationship but also of character. I am in complete awe and admiration of those who can perform whole lifetimes in this way. I have had some episodes of care-giving in my life so far, but your poem squeezes my heart at the possibilities that also lie ahead. The pain, love and loyalty are palpable in your beautiful words and sentiment here, Belle. Whatever the genre, your loveliness shines. Bless you, dear one, xx
Such a beautiful piece and written with such compassion and love. Many of us have or will have to be caregivers and at that point we are called upon to be our best person, our best selves, even as we try to maintain our selves to be the support our family member needs.
Bless you Belle
To love with devotion, with breathtaking compassion ~
This is deeply inspiring Belle. Deeply inspiring. I will never forget this poem.
Blessings,
Christine
Reviewed by Chantilly Lace (Reader)
Reviewed on April 11, 2011
Very touching indeed sweet lady....stay safe and well..Hugsss
Hurting. Prideful. Heart full of agony. I still maintain God got it all wrong in punishing the ancestors of Adam and Eve for partaking of the forbidden. My next novel, "God?" will attempt to delve into this subject. I feel for you and wish you health to carry on.
YOU HAVE RESIGNED TO DO YOUR BEST...AND AS YOU PROGRESS THROUGH YOUR DAYS KNOWING THAT YOU ARE GIVING HIM YOUR ALL...CONSIDER THIS; "...GROW NOT WEARY IN WELL DOING..." AND HOLD ON TO THE MEMORY OF HIS TEARS, WHICH SEEMINGLY FALLS SO SILENTLY NOW...BUT IS, IN FACT, BLESSING YOU EVEN NOW, WITH THE PHRASES, THE MELODIES...THAT YOUR HEART CAN HEAR AND WILL CHERISH...FOREVER. HANG IN THERE, MY FRIEND AND MAY THE SPIRIT OF GOD STRENGTHEN YOU AND ENCOURAGE YOU...DAILY. THANKS FOR SHARING THIS PURE ESSENCE OF LOVE...IN ACTION. FAITH...JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS
True love has such a forever quality- even as we see what looks like the end- love will go further still- where only the heart can go.
Everything is perfect about this poetry- this expression of the best life has to offer...
True love.
This is not a drill. The attack on Pearl. They were the ghost planes of the night, deadly, illusive, sharp-clawed Black Cats. The Memoirs of ARM H.P. Lawrence, a Pearl Harbor survivor, Black Cat, and decorated war veteran.
Asa D Seeley, a young Afro American man, shares his struggle to leave his past behind as he reaches for his future. In his one-of-a-kind style, he searches for answers...from the visible & invisible. A Memoir in Poetical/Prose form.
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fee
the small things become larger things.”
So very heartfelt, La Belle, and we all truly need that strength.
despite our best efforts to fight them off
but that doesn't mean a caring heart should stop caring,
and yours certainly doesn't, or a face stop smiling
through it all.
In admiration,
John
I commend you on your patience and love.
Peace, love and light,
Amber
Be always safe,
Karen
Amor
except to say that you are one beautiful, caring woman whose
heart (and words) cry out with compassion, love, and unbearable
pain. I wish for you the comfort you seek. -gene.
Ron
God bless. So moving. Liz
Bless you Belle
This is deeply inspiring Belle. Deeply inspiring. I will never forget this poem.
Blessings,
Christine
Cheers,
Dan
Everything is perfect about this poetry- this expression of the best life has to offer...
True love.
John