At day's end
Many years since it's been
Just us
Wives, husbands, kids
Usually
Take their place around the table
But not tonight
Not at the end of this day
Nor at the end of that day
Both days
Breathing has been labored
And we gather
Because breath and life have been a struggle
In & out
Out & in
Labored & heavy
It is just the siblings here now
Children grown enough
To leave the adults
At the table
No in-laws either
They are busy taking care of other things
Just us
Gathered at the table
At the end of the waiting day
The miles apart
Have lessened
The tubes
The struggling of breath
The need for cheering one another's hearts
That comes by being in this loss
Together
Together
Around the table
Where we fought about whose turn it
Was to do the dishes
And we teased and scolded
And ate many meals
Siblings only
Just like the days of old
Except now
The battle is for life and breath
We wish it wasn't the suffering
That brought us here
Yet, we are
Together again as
Siblings round the table
At days end
* * *
Linking with Emily at Imperfect Prose.
Oh, God bless. I'm thankful you have one another during this time...
ReplyDeletePraying for you and knowing this as it wasn't too long ago my siblings and I did the very same.
ReplyDeleteKathleen--visiting from over at Emily's place. What a picture you have painted here. I am the oldest of 5 children and both parents have been gone for a long time now. We treasure each other all the more. May God be with you and yours.
ReplyDeleteOh Kathleen, this is beautiful and has me in tears at the same time...praying for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you friends. The idea started with my siblings & I around the table when my sister's husband was dieing. Then, as we have traveled this crisis with my father-in-law, there was another night when my husband gathered around the table with his siblings. My FIL is holding steady at the moment -- thankfully.
ReplyDelete