Chapter 11: Hope

Growing Through Grief

In the late night, early in the morning, May 24th, 2024, our family crowded into my mother’s bedroom. My brother and I, sisters, nieces, nephews, friends, we were all there. Waiting, watching, praying. These were our final moments, everyone embracing one another with tears in their eyes. She had been lying there with labored breathing for a few hours, and I just couldn’t take the thought of seeing her suffer any longer. Finally, the moment came: her last breath in…exhale. I’ll never forget how peaceful she looked, beautiful, skin glowing. We all took our time saying our goodbyes, but I knew in my heart it wasn’t a goodbye, it was a “Love you mommy, I’ll see you later.”

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.” 1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I shared before my mother was a poet, instead of having a traditional service my brother, her sisters, her brother and I shared a collection of her poems. This piece I’m sharing with you she wrote a decade earlier. Her faith, her words. Grief may mark the season, but it does not have the final word.

Visions

by Jacqueline Winslow

Another dimension where pain and suffering disappears
The spiritual realm where there's no more tears. 
I have visions....

Of connecting souls that never grow old;
Infinitely experiencing natures flow.
I have visions...

Of dreams of those we've never known; 
subconsciously connected thru a song.
I have visions...

Of a place where spirits are free 
from all of life's complexities.
I have visions...

Of crystal rivers, oceans and streams 
as clear as your eyes can see.
I have visions...

Of therapeutic forests, flowers and fields 
Enchanting and encouraging "peace be still."
I have visions...

Of the stardust from which we've come;
We shall return the eve of the Sun.

-

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬