Treasures Along the Way

A song, a butterfly, leaves falling, moon rising
Each of these bring sweet feelings of peace
They also can bring memories of a time when I was well

Before the brain injury, I was a musician– performing, singing, conducting, playing joyously
It stole away the sharing of this
Stole my joy of listening to the beautiful concerts I once enjoyed

It hit me like a big truck-that painful week of death and loss
and stark realization of the loss of me

Music and life, one and the same to me
Always has and always will be

Sudden, serious illness took away our family member, she was so young
the same week as the anniversary of the loss of my mother I adore
Grief comes at strange times, wrenches your heartstrings
So many things at once, shocked at the pain

Grief has so many colors, so many shades
Most of all, I want to help my loved ones grieving sore and fresh
I can only reach out in love and prayer in hopes they feel it

This life is so hard at times, so beautiful at others
I know it will all work out
Somehow this raw and jolting pain will heal and change like the leaves

They change and they fall, with new and shining ones to come again
Can it be that our pain and grief will morph into something beautiful and free?
Will it teach me and sit at the doors of my heart beckoning to fly to a higher place?

It must be a strange essence to cause so much pain at once, to show up unannounced
To create new places in the hearts of us all
Places we didn’t know we would have to go

Grief, are you my foe or my friend?
I think you are both-
I think you still have much to show me

I will try and be patient, wait for your lessons to unfold
The path ahead has not been revealed
Each step a new adventure, heartache and joy

Trusting in the One who has gone before
Is the only choice that feels safe and sure
This path of grief and pain will lead to higher ground
Just like the rugged road can lead to a beautiful mountaintop

I will journey on, trust on and be transported eventually
to the gorgeous heights of healing and inexplicable love

Written by Becky Hull

December 10, 2023