Unspoken Message
Just for today, allow me the presence of mind to see life’s final transition as the peaceful beauty it is, instead of viewing it with a fear born of the unknown or un-remembered.
Let me view their now bodies with a strong appreciation for each earned wrinkle and their presently quiet minds for the wisdom gained and held in this long life. Please let me know that this wisdom and all the memories are still locked silently within.
Allow me the presence of mind to view gnarled hands as those instruments that created art for the world to see, for all things created by humans are art left behind for others to view and appreciate for eternity.
Let me not focus on the gasp for breath but instead let me hear the panting of a child as they run across a field chasing butterflies or lightning bugs. Perhaps they are the memories of running from first base to home in a game of sandlot baseball or maybe seeking a good hiding place during a game of hide and seek.
Let me gaze upon eyes now cloudy with age in awe of all the beauty they must have seen in a life lived long and traveled well, in hopes that I too may be gifted with the same humbling and awe inspiring experiences.
Allow me to feel the energy and warmth of their skin with the knowledge that the same energy exist within me. Let me know, without doubt that we are all part of the one energy, never to be destroyed, but instead only to travel from one plane to another with a long forgotten ease.
Let every beat of the heart carry with it the memory of a love shared over a lifetime of walking beside each other during this journey of learning, loving, laughing and crying. These precious memories are who we are and what we leave behind.
Just for today, allow one final request; gift me the absolute belief that endings are simply beginnings in disguise. Nothing less, nothing more. Travel in peace.
Richard D. Rowland ©2018
#Alzheimer’s #endoflife #peace
About the Author
ConnieK
August 4, 2018 at 6:18 pmMy prayers and what you wrote is very beautiful, though it is hard to walk through the challenges of life.
Richard Rowland
August 4, 2018 at 9:38 pmI am honored that you think my words beautiful. I do yours as well Connie. Thank you so much for being here and part of this life’s journey. Richard
Tina
August 4, 2018 at 6:48 pmPeace be with you on this journey and thank you for this touching sentiment as I view my stepfather on his current journey.
Richard Rowland
August 4, 2018 at 9:36 pmWwe do share a like path, don’t we Tina.? Glad to have your energy in this life. Richard
karen marie regina
August 4, 2018 at 7:00 pmRichard thus really touched my heart…thank you
Karen
Richard Rowland
August 4, 2018 at 9:35 pmKaren, I am always happy when the words I write are successful in reaching others on an emotional level. Thank you for taking time to read what I take the time to write. Your presence here is appreciated. Richard
Ravinder
August 4, 2018 at 9:50 pmThere is so much beauty and truth in your words Richard! Our love and prayers are with you!
Richard Rowland
August 5, 2018 at 1:57 amRavinder, The words come from a place in my heart that is opened by love and other intense emotions. I sometimes do not think they are truly mine but instead belong to my muse. She speaks eloquently and I write verbatim. Thank you for your kindness, love and prayers. We will find our way through this as others before us, maybe learning something new to share with those behind us. Richard
Darlene Hohensee
August 4, 2018 at 11:37 pmLove, love, love!
Richard Rowland
August 5, 2018 at 1:51 amYou have always been so kind Darlene. Thank you for the love, it is felt and appreciated. Richard
Eleanor
August 5, 2018 at 11:06 pmHonoring the personhood of the other, when that personhood has retreated beyond our ability to experience it, is difficult. Shared memories become inaccessible, and the loving familarity of embrace moves into past tenses. Caretaking can move into a an hour-by-hour challenge of just making it through to a life’s inevitable conclusion. Thank you, Richard, for the litany of love and grace, the beauty of a life fulfilling itself. Thanks, too, for the reminder that one is fortunate to be able to help achieve the transition.
Richard Rowland
August 6, 2018 at 1:31 amThank you for your words full of love, understanding and a validation of the journey we are still on. Only one who has been there can possibly understand the range of emotions one experiences and as always, I thank you for your counsel and friendship. The vigil continues here but continues with the hopeful energy of a transition in order for him to find the peace he deserves. You are appreciated more than you could know. Richard