It's hard to believe that 23 years ago today you birthed from my womb into our waiting arms. I can't help but wonder what you would look like now, what you would have accomplished, and what goals would be in your cross hairs next.
Would you have reached your dream of the Olympics? Would you be graduating from Stanford?
One thing is for certain—in the short time you spent here, you taught us to use compassion to make a difference. I've tried to model myself after you, and like to think you would be proud of the person I've become, even though my heart is heavy on days like today.
These are the things I think of every day, but they're especially tender on days like today.
Most days I want to spare the world my pain. But in moments like this I want the world to know that grief is okay.
I want them to know it is okay for me to be sad, that my heart hurts years later and I will cry, but they should not be frightened of that.
Because loneliness on this journey surely turns a tender heart bitter.
And a bitter heart in a living person is more tragic than a tender heart in a dead person.
Lovey, you had a premonition that we would soon be separated. I don't think you were afraid to die. I think you feared for the grief I would face.
But there is no need for you or anyone to fear my grief.
It is the worst journey imaginable, yes. But I am a better person because of it.
One thing is for certain—in the short time you spent here, you taught us to use compassion to make a difference. I've tried to model myself after you, and like to think you would be proud of the person I've become, even though my heart is heavy on days like today.
More than ever I yearn to wrap both arms around you, steal a kiss from the top of your head while secretly taking in the smell of your hair. I want to feel the softness of your teenage skin. I want to make jewelry with piles of pearls, crystals, and elements spread across the table between us. I want to rock out to music together on the way home from the pool.
These are the things I think of every day, but they're especially tender on days like today.
Most days I want to spare the world my pain. But in moments like this I want the world to know that grief is okay.
I want them to know it is okay for me to be sad, that my heart hurts years later and I will cry, but they should not be frightened of that.
I know there will always be some who lack compassion and cast judgement against my sorrow, but they do so only out of fear for their own grief not yet experienced.
One day they too will learn that great sorrow stems only from great love.
So Lovey, on your birthday today I make you two promises. First, I will never be angry at those who tell us to get over it. Their judgement is cast out of fear, and I cannot be angry at fear. Second, I vow to cover the brokenhearted who are stung by such words with love and compassion so they don't feel alone.
One day they too will learn that great sorrow stems only from great love.
So Lovey, on your birthday today I make you two promises. First, I will never be angry at those who tell us to get over it. Their judgement is cast out of fear, and I cannot be angry at fear. Second, I vow to cover the brokenhearted who are stung by such words with love and compassion so they don't feel alone.
Because loneliness on this journey surely turns a tender heart bitter.
And a bitter heart in a living person is more tragic than a tender heart in a dead person.
Lovey, you had a premonition that we would soon be separated. I don't think you were afraid to die. I think you feared for the grief I would face.
But there is no need for you or anyone to fear my grief.
It is the worst journey imaginable, yes. But I am a better person because of it.
It has taught me to see outside my own world.
It has opened a vein of compassion that never runs dry.
It has taught me patience and grace in the face of judgement.
My world, blessed with loving family and friends, has grown even richer with new friends who are old souls of the very best kind.
It's your birthday today, and yet I feel like it is I who has been given gifts—gifts of purpose amid pain, gifts of kindness amid judgment, gifts of helping others to help my own heart to heal.
It has opened a vein of compassion that never runs dry.
It has taught me patience and grace in the face of judgement.
My world, blessed with loving family and friends, has grown even richer with new friends who are old souls of the very best kind.
It's your birthday today, and yet I feel like it is I who has been given gifts—gifts of purpose amid pain, gifts of kindness amid judgment, gifts of helping others to help my own heart to heal.
I am not afraid of the grief I now bear. For without grief there would be no need for hope.
And hope is the best gift of all.
Happy birthday, Lovey. I love you.
Love,
Mom XOXO
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