Sara Kendrick Poet Sonnet

Notes About The Poem

The Unrepeatable moment contest by Daniel Henry Rodgers. Written: 03/02/2026. Sort of a sonnet

At Our Home October 23 2026

I had lain down trying to sleep an hour
My grandson came into my room and said, 
"Granny, Pawpaw is dead". I could not cower
Then my adrenaline began to spread

I checked for his pulse, checked breath~ signs he's passed
Because it looked as if he only rested
For several years that is where he slept fast
He still held his chair remote as if he nested

Shock overwhelms; he's supposed to live longer 
I dialed 911, because I didn't know what to do
He was tube fed, supposed to grow stronger
Not die, at home, in his chair, but more life accrue

There, my grandson and I stood in disbelief 
To the Sheriff and coroner gave my debrief  

I chose this moment because I am still dealing with his passing.
However, it has only been four months now.
This has been one of the hardest moments with which I have had to deal.
He was supposed to go in a few days to hear his treatment plan.
He did not make it back to get his biopsy report,
Nor see what they thought could be done.
There is an eighty percent cure rate for laryngeal cancer so there was hope.
God knew when to call him home.
He was not in this earthly shell anymore.
He was instantly healed and free.
His spirit flies free, but I still grieve.

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sara Etgen-Baker March 6, 2026 at 5:51 PM such an evocative and engaging poem. I felt so many emotions with you. How well you captured an indeliable moment in your life and the intensity of grief. Well done, hugs, Sara B Sara Kendrick March 7, 2026 at 4:36 AM Thank you, Sara B. His death is still ever present with me. I appreciate your understanding. Sara K

Charlotte Puddifoot March 5, 2026 at 3:15 PM such an emotive piece, well deserving of its placement in the contest..grief is such a difficult thing, but writing is so therapeutic Sara Kendrick March 5, 2026 at 4:21 PM Yes, Charlotte, I find that writing about my feelings does help so much. I appreciate your understanding and uplifting words. Sara K

Tania Kitchin March 4, 2026 at 4:43 PM Sara, congratulations on your winning placement. So sorry for your loss and dealing with grief. I hope your faith and family support helps you get through such a difficult time. Sara Kendrick March 4, 2026 at 5:33 PM Thank you, Tania. God is good even in the mist of this event. The family is good to me, and I know I will make it to the other side provided I live long enough. I appreciate your uplifting review and encouraging words plus the visit to say congratulations. Sara K

Valsa George March 4, 2026 at 3:58 AM Congratulations dear Sara on your winning entry. Since your daughter and her husband are around, it is such a relief. Sara Kendrick March 4, 2026 at 5:07 AM Valsa, the daughter that is helping me most of the time is my elder daughter who lives in about 30 minutes away. Our youngest daughter lives next door about 5 minutes away but she had surgery just before my husband got sick then her husband has had surgery just in the last couple of weeks. She did try to help when my husband was having to be feed through the stomach tube and have crushed or liquid meds. It was a short time from diagnosis until his death, but she tried to do what she could as did both of them. Thank you for stopping by with congrats. Sara K

Andrea Dietrich March 3, 2026 at 8:01 PM Congrats for making the winner list. God has His time for all of us to return to Him and sadly, it was your husband's time. I was greatly surprised when also in October a dear friend of mine died suddenly at she 80 and she was very healthy. I know you will heal in time. This is a poignant and well written piece, do deserving of its win. God bless you Sara Kendrick March 4, 2026 at 5:03 AM Thank you, Andrea, for stopping by and saying congratulations. We never know when it will be our time and it behooves us to be ready to go. I know Tommy's spirit is with all the family, friends, and church acquaintances that have gone before rejoicing in being where our Savior is in beautiful surroundings. I appreciate the visit. Sara K

MOHIT MITRA March 3, 2026 at 7:39 PM Esteemed Ma'am, My heart ached reading your poem. The simple moment shattered by your grandson’s words feels devastatingly real. Checking his pulse, hoping still, and the image of him holding the remote reveal such deep love. Standing in shock while giving details shows quiet strength. Your grief is raw and honest—four months is no time at all. Thank you for sharing something so tender and close to your heart. Sara Kendrick March 4, 2026 at 4:59 AM Your comments that come from an understanding and good heart, Mohit, have helped me in my grief. I appreciate you stopping by and taking time to leave such a nice message. Sara K

Kim Rodrigues March 3, 2026 at 6:46 PM An emotive and heartfelt write, dear Sara. You truly bared your heart. My daughter’s ex father in law was working in his office on a conference call. His wife was sleeping in the other room. She answered a door bell to find out that her husband’s coworkers surmised something was wrong. She found out her husband died. Sad as is yours. My heart goes out to you. Congrats on your win. Sara Kendrick March 4, 2026 at 4:57 AM Kim, thank you for your understanding words and sharing about your daughter's experience as well. I am sure she was shocked more than I because I had somewhat prepared to face the fact that he probably wasn't going to make it. I appreciate you stopping by with congratulations. Sara K

Sam Kauffman March 3, 2026 at 12:25 PM Sara, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know you remain in my thoughts and my prayers of consolation for your grieving heart. Like many I didn't know of his passing. Even though your heart feels such pain, you have courageously continued to write. You are an example of grabbing hold of life and continuing to use your gifts! Now I understand your comment about not being able to garden. Sending you continued prayers, hugs and blessings! Best wishes for the contest. Sara Kendrick March 3, 2026 at 4:11 PM Thank you, Sam, for your prayers. Grief is not easy, but we all have to go through it at some point in our lives. God will help us through it through friends, family and the Holy Spirit. I write because I have found that it helps me work through emotional situations that come in my life and help me deal with them in such a way as to try not hurt others but get better myself. Thank you for your visit. Sara K

Victor Buhagiar March 3, 2026 at 1:18 AM Such is life. We grieve, but hopefully time heals all wounds. Sara Kendrick March 3, 2026 at 4:02 AM Yes, Victor, I know death comes to us all and we all have to face other deaths of those close to us, but grief work has to happen to make it to the other side. Thank you for the visit and kind words. Sara K

Valsa George March 2, 2026 at 7:41 PM This is such a painful memory. I didn't know that this has happened. The unexpected departure of one's partner is a shock one can never get over. May his soul rest in peace. Sending you prayers, dear Sara. Sara Kendrick March 3, 2026 at 4:00 AM Thank you, Valsa, for your expression of sympathy. We had been married 63 years, and we dated for 2 1/2 years so we had been together for a long time. I know I will continue to miss him. My oldest daughter and her husband are helping when and where they can which is a blessing. Sara K

Yann Rolland March 2, 2026 at 4:51 PM so touching and sad are these memories, my father too, so old was looking dead, while resting, he died from a stomach cancer six years ago, Life is a strange adventure, thanks for sharing Sara Kendrick March 2, 2026 at 5:34 PM Yann, I feel for you in the loss of your father. I lost my parents as well about 30 and 28 years ago. I still miss them. When my husband passed, in a short period of time I could see him talking with my parents and all three of them were the stage of life that they would have been in good health. I was not exactly asleep but more like that stage just before I go to sleep and it was so strange but yet reassuring that they were all okay. Thanks for dropping by. Sara K