SISTER MARY

Ellen

Waited on

And on

Bedded bodies

Imprisoned minds

Memory Care freedom

From

But not for

Where is that young woman

That pretty girl

So full of it?

The one Jeremiah and I used to love to tease

She re-emerged from time to time

When her son, Noah

Or others came to care

To brush her hair

Feed her peas, ice cream

Take in some sun, fresh air

Read her a card

Or watch with her

The Twins or Vikings on TV

On and on

Last year I was able

To witness a special emissary

New sister-in-law, Moira

Sent her bridal bouquet

And a generous piece

Of gooey wedding cake

Mary Ellen, too, could celebrate

Her brother Jim’s and Moira’s marriage

This cake was especially potent

            A real break from nutrition through a straw

It managed to creep through the bars of her cage

And triggered associations and requests

Throughout the week for real food

Sandwiches, cheeseburgers

Sweet Moira

Ultimately we could not fix Mary Ellen

We could not bring back that youthful beauty

Or perky spirit and zest for living

But as long as she remained

Hope remained

In Noah’s words

She was in a good place

Soft flannel pajamas

Comfy bed

Pain free

Hands being held

Her favorite classical music playing

But now our hopes turn

To a new Mary Ellen

Not repaired

But brand new

Cosmic, maybe

Like her mother’s shooting star

Soaring over Lake Sisseton

(Did you see that at Mother’s wake?)

Or mom’s Christmas parade

Trailing down Albion Avenue through town

Bringing news of a new spirit in the air

There will be no Christmas parade for Mary Ellen

But I am looking for some of June’s summer magic

One of my favorites . . . fireflies

They are due to return

This year they will carry a special message to me

Mary Ellen’s spirit continuing to rise

That spunk, that spirit cannot be buried

Watch them rise and disappear

Night after night

Year after year

On and on

She died last Saturday

Let me close with a part of the readings from Sunday’s Lectionary

This is part of St. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, chapters 4 and 5

“Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.  For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen, for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.”    

Amen, my sister

Amen, my friends

DRK

6/12/18