An Elderly Lament
She sits there slowly rocking
In the chair that's by her bed
Sometimes it gets so lonely
That she wishes she were dead
She knows that now and then
She might forget the time or place
And once in every while
She may not recognize a face
Putting on her slippers
That were right there by the wall
She stumbled from her seat
And started walking down the hall
She passed the nurses' station
No one saw her going by
She eased into the chapel
Where she hung her head and cried
"Where are all my children
They don't visit anymore
And what about my sisters
They've only been here twice before"
"I know they think I'm crazy
At times I think so, too
I never really asked for this
There's nothing I can do"
She reached into the pocket
Of her wrinkled cotton gown
She found the tattered holy card
And heavily knelt down
She used to know the prayer by heart
Then the ilness took control
Now she had to read the words
That filled her very soul
She prayed, "Hail Mary, full of grace"
And a bright light filled the room
A soothing warmth came over her
Dispelling any gloom
"My child, you need not kneel
Jesus knows you've done your best
You've grown so tired and weary
It is now your turn to rest"
"I know you feel abandoned
By your family and friends
But in heaven you're surrounded
With a love that never ends"
"You've sacrificed so very much
Your family always first
Standing by through thick and thin
In good times and in worst"
"Your children surely love you
Your friends have shown they care
I came to tell you all of this
For I have heard their prayers"
"It's difficult for them to watch
This horrible disease
That eats away your memory
And brings you to your knees"
"Today I take my mantle
And embrace you with a love
That I now freely give to you
From the Father up above"
She smiled up at Mary
And took in her last breath
Fulfilling now a life long wish
To die a happy death
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