Subtle Glow

Today brought terrible news.  A mother lost her child yesterday.  Her baby was not yet a year old.  Even more heartbreaking, baby Emma was a twin - and her brother Ethan passed just a few short months ago.

It is difficult to find the words to describe the words I am feeling.  Shocked, because when I heard she was in the hospital not long ago, I thought for sure she would be coming home soon - healthy.  Angry, because it is just too unfair for her mother to have gone through the pregnancy, and the birth - all without the support of the father.  Sad - because after all of that, to then have each baby taken from her, one at a time, after she had known the joy of holding them and caring for them seems so insanely unfair.  I never met  her, but I’ve known her since just before she found out she was pregnant.  Then, when she found she was having twins.  Complications put her on bedrest, and then finally the babies were here.

Now, they are gone and there is so much sadness left in their place.

I can’t imagine how people cope with the death of a child.  It seems especially cruel, to cope with the death of a child, while caring for another, only to have to go through it all again five months later. 

My heart goes out to anyone who has been affected by a loss like this.  For this mother in particular, I can’t begin to find the words to express my sorrow for your loss. 

Into the West
(right-click/save as)
Lay Down
Your sweet and weary head
Night is falling
You have come to journey’s end

Sleep now
Dream-of the ones who came before
They are calling
From across a distant shore

Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away.

Safe in my arms
You’re only sleeping

What can you see?
On the horizon.
Why do the white gulls call?

Across the sea
A pale moon rises.
The ships have come
To carry you home.

And all will turn to silver glass.
A light on the water
All souls pass.

Hope fades
Into the world of night.
Through shadows falling,
Out of memory and time.

Don’t say
We have come now to the end.
White shores are calling
You and I will meet again.

And you’ll be here in my arms
Just sleeping.

What can you see?
On the horizon.
Why do the white gulls call?

Across the sea
A pale moon rises.
The ships have come
To carry you home.

And all will turn to silver glass.
A light on the water
Grey ships pass
Into the west.