My friend lost her aunt this week to a rare illness. Due to it being during the COVID-19 crisis, she was unable to have any family members with her in the hospital room as she was dying. Her daughter had to say goodbye to her mother over Facetime. My friend and her family are grieving during this heartbreaking time, and were inconsolable despite whatever words and prayers we were able to send her way. She said what makes it worse is that her aunt had to die alone.
It made me think of so many who are suffering right now, either suffering and dying from this horrible virus, or some other illness -facing death alone and not surrounded by your loved ones. And through this heartbreaking time and amidst my own fears and pain, I saw a light and hope through my faith. I wrote this poem to hopefully provide a sense of comfort for you and your loved ones during this time when so many are facing their own mortality and wishing to be with loved ones. May we find hope in knowing we are never alone when our own time comes to face the unknown.
Waiting
By: Melissa Kuch
Alone, I wait fearful
as death is at my side,
with no one to comfort me
as my breath slowly subsides.
They say you come into this world alone
but still...
I heard my mother’s heartbeat
I heard her voice so sweet,
like a lullaby from the unknown
I was never truly alone.
And as I lie here in silence
waiting for what is to come,
I can almost hear a gentle whisper
and a soft beating of a drum.
Because maybe there’s a mother waiting
to place kisses on my cheek,
and hold me in her arms
and gently rock me to sleep.
I close my eyes and dream
there’s a mother waiting in the unknown,
and a father smiling lovingly
calling me home.