I remember those early days and months after the death of my husband. One winter morning, I saw a white rose blooming on one of my rose bushes. The leaves were gone and it was January and very cold.
It precipitated the writing of the following poem. I share it today for my friend.
Loss is part of life; but those who remain struggle with their loss. Lois, God be with you and comfort you.
I Cried – He Came
God came one morning when I was down and low
He showed me a patch of blue between the clouds,
A bird scrounging in the dried bushes
Looking for food
Singing a song
And He said, “I’m here – I’m here
I’m right here beside you!”
I’m with that bird – He’s singing in the cold
I’m in that sky – there’s a promise of spring
I’m in the earth around you – Close your eyes and feel my strength
Feel me giving you breath to continue on
“Bloom wherever you are,” He said. “Just bloom.”
I looked and saw my rose bush blooming
There were no leaves
It was still the middle of winter
But there were roses blooming.
Bloom wherever you are
Bloom in the winter – the summer – the fall
Bloom wherever I place you
I will feed you
I will water you
I will be by your side
There are many things I do not understand
– why I must be alone when it is people I need
– why I must struggle when others are at play.
We all have our prisons: they come in separation and isolation – in loss and discouragement. They come in the midst of poverty and in the midst of wealth. They sneak up behind us and catch us when we are not looking,
and in desperation we cry out to our God
I do not understand. I do not understand.
But I do know this. My God came and stood beside me today
He came and I felt His presence
in the sky – the bird – the roses
I closed my eyes and felt his presence by my side.
And I was no longer alone.
Marlene Anderson
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