Life pacts

When my son Dylan was born, I stayed right next to him for his first hour as he passed around from one neo-natal room to another. He was confused and frightened, and he held my finger as though it were a life preserver. As I tried my best to assure him that everything would be all right, I was struck with an almost mythic feeling that we were now tied to a great circle of life. As I comforted him as he came into the world at one end of the cycle, I couldn't stop thinking about the two of us at the other end of that cycle, when he would be there to comfort me at the end of my life. Contemplating the profundity of this moment gave me great joy.

It occurs to me as I go to Iowa to see my father before he dies, that he and I are in a similar pact. As he was next to me when I came into the world, it is necessary that I be there next to him as he is leaving the world. There are no tears, except those of joy that this life cycle will have been fulfilled.

The girl who could fly

This poem came to me in a dream last night. I have no idea what it means, but for some reason, I weep inconsolably when I read it:
.
.
Though Lily had cherished her mama,
When she left they both started to cry
They embraced for they knew it was time to let go
For Lily had learned how to fly.

When she’d float down the street people loved her.
When she soared across town no one jeered.
When she raced with a jet they applauded.
When she charged into space people cheered.

But one day she stopped all her flying
For she heard a small voice in her head.
She floated down gently to Mama’s old house
And hovered there over her bed.

“Oh Lily, my love, I can see you.
I knew you would come if I bid.
You are there in the dark ceiling corner.
I knew that you’d come and you did."

Then the nurse came and asked “what’s the matter?
Take your meds. Are you starting to feel?
If you think it’s your daughter the end is quite near.
For a girl that is floating’s not real.”

“I am here,” Lily said. “Are you ready?”
Her mama then nodded, “prepared.”
Lily gathered her up and then silently rose
Through the roof just as though it weren’t there.

Mama’s house got increasingly smaller
As Lily rose up to the sky.
Her Mama just watched, “She’s so strong and so sure.
I’m so proud that my daughter can fly.”

“What color is heaven?” Mama asked her
Lily smiled “What shade do you think?”
“I’ve always liked bright friendly roses my love”
“You’re in luck then ‘cause heaven is pink.”

Lily passed through the last misty cloud bank
and they both looked across and were awed.
Mama held out her finger before her and stretched
And just touched the finger of God.