Friday, March 7, 2014

Friday's Focus: Personal: Shattered Lives, Shattered Dreams

They stood huddled together, arms around each other for support, for love, for sharing. One man stood apart, looking at them. Strangely, tears were running down the pale cheeks of the group before him: wife, son, mother, stepfather.

The group had been there for a long time, standing at what seemed to be the edge of the world. They were looking up into the sky. A rainbow shimmered where the sky kissed the earth. It hovered for a while, bringing hope that fluttered back and forth like a fragile butterfly.

Now, the rainbow quivered, and sank below the horizon as black clouds filled the sky. Hope, like the butterfly, was gone.

The group turned, as one, and looked at the solitary man. He took a step forward into the long black tunnel that beckoned him. He smiled because he didn't know, didn't understand that the tunnel had no end, no return.

No cure. No treatment. Those words had pierced the hearts of these people for many months, as they waited patiently, hopefully, for new theories to come forth, new medicines to be discovered. None came. And the words continued to bounce back and forth, almost like a dodge ball game. Except this was no game, this was life. His life.

The man took another step into the tunnel. The group cried out to him, to no avail. Now, he did not know them, did not remember the life he once had. He stepped deeper into the tunnel, not knowing, not understanding this was a journey from which he would not return, and one that he would travel alone.

The journey is almost over. The tunnel has been long, dark, desolate. Those he will leave behind have nothing left now but their memories: the mother remembers  a small, laughing, inquisitive boy: the stepfather remembers a young man with an exciting future, the wife remembers a loving husband; and the son remembers a close and warm relationship with a loving father.

Shattered lives, shattered dreams.
My heart cries. He... is my son.

25 comments:

  1. Your words tell of your pain. I'm sorry, Mikki.

    Susan Bernhardt

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    1. Thanks, Susan. It is hard to write about, but sometimes, words help, somehow.

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  2. Oh, Mikki, I'm so sad for you. I had no idea it was your son. My heart goes out to you.

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    1. Thank you, Suzanne. I appreciate your thoughts.

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  3. I am so very sorry, Mikki. My sympathies. A few months after cleared by surgery, my son went through chemo. I feel your hurting heart.

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    1. Thank you, Sandy. My prayers are with you and your son. I know what it's like.

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  4. My heart goes out to you Mikki. You are in my prayers.

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    1. Thanks, Sherry. I appreciate your prayers.

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  5. You can be sure we are upholding you during this time of loss. May the comfort of the Lord's arms around you be your strength.

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    1. Thanks so much. Our faith holds firm, but sometimes it's hard.

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  6. We will be upholding you in prayer. May the Lord's arms around you be your comfort and strength.

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  7. Mikki, that was beautifully put. My heart, my thoughts, my prayers, go out to you.

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    1. Thanks, Heather. I really appreciate your thoughts and especially your prayers.

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  8. We accept the fact that we might have to watch our parents gradually fade into the end of their lives...but, we never expect to have to watch it happen to our child. My heart hurts for you and your family...God grant you strength and peace to go with your pain and grief!

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    1. thanks, Audrey. Sometimes when life hits you in an unexpected way, it hits right in the pit of your stomach and knocks you off your feet. We've been through a lot in the last months, but our faith sustains us.

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  9. You have written your pain in exquisite agony. My heart breaks for you and yours, Mikki. So sorry you all have to walk this difficult road. May God bless and bring you comfort.

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    1. Marsha, thanks for those kind words. Without our faith in God, this road would have been even more difficult.

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  10. I'm so sorry, Mikki, for the terrible pain you are going through. You have written very movingly. My words are inadequate, but please know I wish you and your family all the strength in the world at this time.

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    1. Thank you, Helena, I appreciate your thoughts and words.And no, they are not inadequate, they help a lot.

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  11. I am so sorry, Mikki. My tears and heart flow with the pain you must be feeling. My deepest thoughts and hugs go out to you.

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    1. Thank you so much, Lea. You don't know how much I appreciate your comments and all those of the authors here. It really helps to know that others I am just getting to know have concerns and prayers for me and my family.

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  12. Dear Mikki,
    I'm so sorry for your pain, and that of your family's. It hurts so when our children experience any pain, I can only imagine how hard this is for you. My prayers are with you.

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    1. Thanks, Loren, for stopping by, and most especially for your prayers. They are gratefully accepted.

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  13. Mikki,

    That was so beautifully written and I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family. One of my best friends just lost her husband so I know there are no words to give her or you that can ease your pain. Hold on to your memories and take it one breath at a time.

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    1. Thank you, Allyn. Words don't always help, but it does help to know that others are thinking of you and are concerned for you. I appreciate that.

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