The Promise
Submitted by Neil Chethik on November 12, 2008 – 2:40 amNeil Chethik is an author, speaker and expert specializing in men's lives and family issues. He is the author of two acclaimed books: VoiceMale: What Husbands Really Think About Their Marriages, T... more
5 CommentsThe Promise
By Genesse Bourdeau Gentry — ?
Your birth brought me star shine, the moon and the sun;
my wishes, dreams, gathered ?round my little one.
My life became sacred, full of promise and light
wrapped up in the child who brought love at first sight.
?
The years of your living filled with laughter and tears,
excitement, adventure, some boredom, some fears,
but ended too quickly, ahead of its time
the loss so horrendous, such heartbreak was mine.
?
But from the beginning, one thought rose so clear:
never would your death erase the years that you were here.
I would not be defeated or diminished by your death;
I would hang on, learn to conquer, if it took my every breath.
?
For if your death destroyed my life, made both our lives a waste,
?t would deny your life’s meaning and all the love you gave.
I vowed that years of sadness would change, with work and grace,
to years of happiness, even joy, in which you’d have a place.
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Memories of you, like shining stars in the patterns of my soul,
are beacons flashing light and love, and with them I am whole.
In your honor, I live my life, now living it for two;
Through all my life, you too will live – you lived, you live, you do.
?
Genesse Bourdeau Gentry
from Stars in the Deepest Night-After the Death of a Child?
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This poem has appeared in The Compassionate Friends’ quarterly magazine, We Need Not Walk Alone, as well as TCF chapter newsletters. Reach Genesse Gentry through her website, www.afterthedeathofachild.com.
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How wonderful to find you here. Lori’s legacy grows and spreads with yours. I love you both so much. Annette
Genesse, this is so beautiful and so wonderful. I never knew Lori but since meeting you ,you have given me much courage & pleasure.
Jackie
May your touching words “you lived, you live, you do” be said by many, many of us for all the children who died to soon – through tears and smiles and shining memories.
Hello Genesse
I am so blessed by your writing…This beautiful poem truly touches my heart and encourages me. Thank you! Jerri
Hi Genesse,
Your writing always blesses and encourages my heart. Thank you for this beautiful poem! Jerri