Living with Loss

Today marks the first death anniversary of a friend’s daughter. That the girl—who was ten—died on Easter Sunday remains one of life’s many ironies. My friend H has since picked up the pieces, and I am in awe of her strength.

This beautiful verse is for H, and for those of us who continue to live with, and live through, seemingly insurmountable losses.

A Psalm About Grieving

Choir 1:I turned to the wind
who howled and sighed
the whole time I was healing.

Choir 2: I turned to a tree
who had lost its leaves—
she knew how I was feeling.

Choir 1: I turned to the rain
who was in tears
for I too felt like crying.

Choir 2: I turned to the earth
who understood
what it meant to live with dying.

Choir 1: I turned to a thistle in a field
I could see
she too was lonely.

Choir 2: I turned to a rock
who knew how hard it was
to be one and only.

Choir 1: I turned to a blade of grass
because there were bonds
I had to sever.

Choir 2: I turned to the sea
who returned to me
and taught me about forever.

Choir 1: I turned to a mountain
who seemed secure
and I asked for strength and endurance.

Choir 2: I turned to wildflowers
in a wood
and they gave me some assurance.

Choir 1: I turned to a friend
who sat with me
until she had to be leaving.

Choir 2: I turned to Shaddai
who stayed with me
and helped me through my grieving.