Dedicated in loving memory of "the precious gifts" we have all known in our lives who have journeyed on. For myself, my beloved parents, Milton and Esther Reed. I met a lovely lady today, her character glowing with a radiant ray! <br />She lit the room with her elegant grace and the smile she carried upon her face. <br />There were tears of confusion in her lovely blue eyes, <br />She tried to conceal them cause she didn't know why they were there... She listened intently and watched every move as she drifted silently <br />Around the room speaking in whispers, as her breath was shallow. <br />I wanted to hug her and cough, or swallow to clear the asthma from her affected lungs, <br />But I knew I was helpless to do either one, so I just hugged her... Her response to me was with a kiss, this gracious, elderly, willowy miss. <br />Her arms held me with a powerful hug and my heartstrings began to feel a magnetic tug! <br />There was harmony in the warmth of her smile, and I knew that life had taken her miles, <br />And that she possessed the wisdom of those trials she had won... As I left that place, I said a prayer, <br />That God would bless this lady with the angelic stare and soft smile! <br />That she would not be confused or be afraid or feel want or loneliness or any dismay, <br />But bring a peaceful contentment to the depth of her heart, <br />In full confidence that God will do His part to always be there... I offered the prayer that her life would be easier, <br />And only contentment and happy thoughts would please her. <br />That her lungs would be clear and her family surround her <br />And that her life would be full of good memories around her. <br />That's all that family will have in the long years ahead, <br />As they remember standing at the side of her bed, saying -- "GOOD-BYE."<br /><br />Joyce M. Reed, Gelhaus<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/elderly-resident/
