Poem: You and I

I received a text from one of my best friends from high school yesterday. Kathy, her wonderful husband Colin and her beautiful daughter Margeaux were the ones manning the coffee maker in the kitchen the morning of Chip’s funeral service. I have her to thank, amongst other amazing friends, for keeping me as “together” as possible that day (as well as during high school and right up to now). In her text, I was comforted by her words. She said, “I know it’s hard and it’s only just the beginning but his strength and love will get you to the the other side.” Kathy's words inspired me to share a poem that I wrote about strength. I wrote it in the early morning on the Tuesday after Chip's funeral service, feeling devastated and unable to get out of bed. Writing the poem in the dark on my Notes app on my phone gave me the strength I needed to get out of bed and go to the kitchen to make coffee, with thoughts of Kathy and her family in mind.

You and I You said to me many years back “You are the strongest woman I have ever known”

and “I love how strong and free you are”

and from that point on, you gave me almost daily reminders.

You told me often I was your rock

and you told others that as well.

I was there for you when you had little to no strength,

I would have carried you if I could have,

if life had continued as it did.

My strength has been depleted with your loss,

so others share theirs with me daily, now that I have little to none.

You whispered to me in the viewing room at the funeral home

when I gave you my last kiss.

You told me you would give me strength from above

to get through the pain of losing you.

I believed you then, and will never doubt your whisperings, my darling.