He was gone for a few days,
Our parting was sweet sorrow because
I knew he would be back.
Now, I just feel the sorrow.
When Jack and I were married and
He was gone for a few days, Our parting was sweet sorrow because I knew he would be back. Now, I just feel the sorrow.
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I enjoy going to the farmer's market,
Especially on a crisp, gorgeous fall Morning. But today I wasn't going to buy, but To give. Our group of five from church passed Out free DVDs that told how To know Jesus. Frankly, I was out of my comfort Zone. I would have rather faded into the Crowd than stand along the Sidewalk, basket in hand, asking, "Would you like a free movie?" But God's courage overpowered my Reluctance, And within an hour the DVDs were All gone. No one spat at me. No one yelled. No one struck me like they Did to Jesus. And I believe He knew just the Ones who needed the message, The ones who took my gift with A grateful spirit. The joy of sharing Jesus, The joy of wondrous autumn Accompanied me as I walked to The car, my basket now filled With a tomato, Green beans, and an Acorn squash. When I posted the poem about
The dress, I thought I was Just sharing the poignant Moment of a shopping Experience. I never expected the exuberant Response: "Buy the dress! You deserve it!" The affirming words caused Me to reconsider. Perhaps I should purchase The dress. When I went back today It was still there, so now It is hanging in my closet. But it's not about the dress Anymore. It's about the dear friends who Urged me to buy it because they Wanted me to feel special and To give me the encouragement Jack couldn't. No matter how it looks on me, I will wear it with joy and Gratitude because it is a Reminder of friendship and Love. Thank you, friends. (The icing on the cake: With an extra 15% off, and a $20.00 discount for reactivating my charge card, the $90 dress cost me $11.10. Whoopee!) I know the pain of losing a
Husband, twice. But I can't comprehend losing Him in a car accident and being Badly injured myself. It's double pain, emotional and Physical. It's what Marcia is dealing with Right now. And so I pray for double Mercy, Double strength, Double hope, Double healing. I was glad to see the bumper
Stickers on her car: "Jesus is my Lord." "Jesus is my Savior." For as she cut in front of me, And then barely missed Hitting another car, It seemed likely she might Be seeing Him soon. I went to the department store
To use birthday money, and After buying a blouse, I Wandered through the apparel Section, just looking. A two piece dress caught My eye. It was my color, modest, and Best of all, half price. I took it to the fitting room and Was pleasantly surprised that it Fit perfectly. But should I buy it? I examined myself from all Angles, and then hung the Garment beside the mirror. I sat there on the bench studying It and listening to the debate Taking place in my brain. I know what Jack would have Said, "Buy it honey. You deserve it. Treat yourself. Buy it! Buy it!" But I countered. "It has short sleeves. It's so Cold in church I'd need a Sweater. Would I wear it Enough? It's dressier than I Usually wear." The conflict raged until practicality Won out, and I hung the Lovely dress back on the rack. I walked to the car knowing in my Heart that if Jack were still alive, the Dress would have come with me.
I saw him sitting at the table, alone.
Was he the dad whose son was Killed in an accident? It was years ago, but I approached Him anyway. "I believe you're the one whose Son died." "Yes." "How long has it been?" "Ten years, but it seems Like such a short time. It's better, but still so hard." I agreed with him, and we Chatted about grief. "Thanks so much for remembering," He said, "Thanks for speaking To me." As I walked away, I realized that Time doesn't take away the Hurt, and it's never Too late to show you care. Dad was two months shy of being
Ninety one, and he was still Mowing my lawn. He had moved in with me, And after working on the Farm all his life, he Couldn't sit still. The front yard was on a slope, And pushing the mower was no Easy job, even for me. But Dad had devised a plan, And by taking his circular route, The task was doable. A woman passing by one Afternoon took exception. When she saw him forcing the Machine up the incline, She came up from behind and Grabbed it from him. She proceeded to push the mower Across the grass until my Dad retaliated and pulled it Back out of her hands. "No one's making me mow the Lawn," he told her. "I like to mow the lawn. I want to mow the lawn." As she walked away, He finished the job. Dad told me the story when I Got home from work. I felt sorry for both of them. The kind woman must have been Nonplussed. She thought she was Being a good Samaritan, But my dad thought she should Just mind her own business. (Dad continued to mow till he was 95, although he graduated to a riding mower. He would be 111 today.)
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Dorothy Kalb Hsu Seitzinger
Writing poetry has helped me process and express my sorrows and joys, my concerns and blessings. "Life is hard, but God is good!" Archives
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