To Tomorrow.........

I try to stay positive each day, boasting to some that, "You'd better laugh, 'cause if you don't, you'll cry!"  I think I've done a good job of smiling this year, despite our loss of no fewer than five immediate family members in five and a half years, the last of which occurred in June of last year. Just as hard hitting as the losses were the illnesses preceding and surrounding them.  Most days I feel like a survivor, like I can take the next day and be grateful I've seen another.  Each day I hear of a new story of suffering...and indeed many are far worse in circumstance than anything I have ever seen or will ever endure.  Today it is teeming with much needed showers, and I am temporarily alone in the house, and need to create to pay homage to those I keep in my heart and my memory who can't be here, as well as those close to me every day, and those who have suffered those harder losses......I still feel blessed and will indeed laugh tomorrow...... 

I know I must prize the glory of life

Try to savor the sunshine

Keep what's mine

And feel fine

I looked to the stars despite your strife

Looked out the window

Scared to know

You might go

If you could not move at all

I felt your anguish

Watched you languish

And I wish

If ill health took your life's recall 

You'd say my name

Rebound and claim

Your lead in this game

If you're the one whose frame was gaunt

I must extol

your control

Though you were not whole

If life allowed the lungs to taunt

It seemed surreal

That daunting feel

You might not heal

If you fought to gulp or speak

I'd like to trade

Not how we're made

Oh, please don't fade

Malady's left you frail and weak

But if you leave

And see me grieve

Know I believe

I'll not wallow in the sorrow

And if you're there

I'll say a prayer

You're in God's care

The expectation of tomorrow

Yours here is done

I'll know the sun

With you, I've won.........