By Gloria Faye Brown Bates/aka Granny Gee
Son, one day when I have to go, be here no more
I don't want you to have to feel pain... grieve for me
Everything's going to be alright
I want you to be prepared ... just in case
It's the way life is... parents go before the child
I want to tell you how to remember me, Son
Each night you see the moon, stars... I want you to know
That I'm up there, shining down on you with love
Know that I'm close by, always loving you... I told my son
See me in the happy colors you encounter in life
In a field of flowers... beautiful colored fabrics, paints
When the sunshine warms you... feel my love
When a soft breeze ruffles your blonde-strawberry, wavy hair
It's me ... ruffling it just as I did when you were a little boy
Close your eyes, feel your mama hug you, Son
I always thought I'd go first... that's the way it's supposed to be
Parents aren't supposed to outlive their children
Feel the grief of losing a child, a life they brought into the world
I have been through many close calls, being very ill
I wanted my son to always know if I should go away
To be prepared for it... hoping he wouldn't have to feel pain
That everything would be alright... it's the way life can be
To have a special way of remembering his mama
To know, have a way to feel his mother's love
Like pennies dropped from heaven... rice in unexpected places
Letting one know it's the special way for a loved one
To reach out from the other side to say... I love you
The strange thing is that I prepared my son
We didn't prepare ... me ... for the day he went away
The day he went away... forever
Children aren't supposed to die before their parents
My only child... my son died before me, his mother
Left me here to grieve for him... it wasn't supposed to be that way
How did he say to remember him if he should go away first?
I keep asking myself that question, only to remember
Remember that we never discussed that... I knew I'd go first
I sit here with my memories, photos of my son
Photos of his children... all have gone away
As if... they never existed ... sometimes, life can be that way
At this moment I grieve for him, but... I can't cry
My tears have all cried out... until there are no more
So, all I can do... is sit here... smile my sad, bittersweet smile
Let the pain flow from my heart into my fingertips
Spill out words like the stormy ocean during a storm
Swirling around... waves crashing until... calming down
It happened again... I promised to share
Tell you about grief when it happened
Now... everything is alright once again ... please don't say a word
Grief, pain is what I know best... this is what I write
Don't feel sorry for me... I'm very strong
It's been a long journey... I didn't know I would... but, I survived
That photo you posted is amazing. You can feel his love for his son oozing out of it. One day you'll be together again and you'll feel his arms around you. In the meantime keep living the life you've built for yourself. He must be so proud of you for everything you've done.
ReplyDeleteI can't say how one should feel when they have lost a child. I think the same way you do---we are suppose to go before our children. There are times when the children do go before their parents and that is sad---very sad and no doubt very painful. I do know that Tommy would not want you to hurt but I think we all can understand why you do hurt even though it has been a few years. Prayerfully God will tell you one day why he decided he needed Tommy before He needed you. You know I am always here for you! Love, Ms. Nancy
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