Have You Lost and Mourned

Have You Lost and Mourned ( Thank you Tamera) By Franklin Price 02/17/2022 I have lost and mourn a loved one She was my long time cherished spouse Was the best friend that I ever had Brought bright sunshine to our house If you have also lost someone Let me help you through this time Hope this verse I write will aid you As I put my thoughts in rhyme Do we ask why God has taken them To walk on heaven's streets of gold? Do we blame ourselves a little, That they're no longer here to hold? Is there anything we could have done, Any time along the way, Any coulda, woulda, shoulda So they would still be here today? Cannot beat ourselves, relentlessly, Was no control we chose to take The loved one, whom was lifted Was God's final call to make Make the best of what has happened Sing God's praises with our song Telling others of our feelings Helping all to move along We're not God, though He's within us, To help us move on through this life If we listen, He will guide us Through it's happiness and strife We're not responsible for others For what they did or did not do We don't see them in the mirror It's just reflecting me or you Don't be a fool in blaming others Don't curse them quietly or loud Continue on, in such way, That makes the dear departed proud. On January 18, 2022, around 7:20 PM, God relieved my most loved and devoted wife, of her suffering here on earth. I know she is looking down from heaven watching and reading everything I write. Several years ago, we ( Barbara – my wife - and I) were given the opportunity to help Tamera in getting through the struggles of losing her mother. Tamera takes great joy in calling me Uncle Frank. Barb and I were friends with her parents since Tamera was a baby. She is now over fifty. Shortly after Barbara passed, Tamera called me and asked if she could visit. She lives in California so visiting is not without some effort and expense. I know the caring person she is, and knowing we helped her, in her time of need, I gladly accepted her offer. She made flight reservations to arrive at the Asheville, NC airport yesterday morning. She previously lived in Asheville and her parents were from nearby Canton and Clyde. We spent the morning talking and revisiting old haunts. I also met her aunt who still lives close to the border of Canton and Clyde. I had afternoon appointments at the VA Medical Center for x-rays and an Ultra-sound to determine if I have kidney stones or something else that may be causing blood in my urine which was discovered during my annual physical on 19 January. As usual, I'm digressing After I accepted Tamera's offer, I became foolishly concerned about how, having a single, long time, woman friend, visit so shortly after Barbara's passing, would look. So, of course, I did not tell anyone... Stupid is, as stupid does. We, Tamera and I, have so far, gone into deep and helpful conversation about death in general and specifically of Barbara's and her mother's passings. I am so grateful she came and I think she is also. I sincerely apologize for my stupidity after the fact. If anyone out there, who reads this, thinks that her visit is anything more than friends helping each other in a time of sorrow and need... Shame on you!!! To be fair, shame on me too, that I would think anyone would think that I'm so grateful to Tamera for her support, and applaud all who read this, and see it for what it is. I so appreciate everyone who has been there for me in any way throughout my loss. It's hard to hide good friends and family. God Bless You All, Frank