Without me

Posted on by

5

if tomorrow starts without me

let the morning find you gently
let the sunlight fall across
your face and remind you
that you were once deeply loved
by someone who saw the whole sky
when she looked at you

don’t search for me
in empty spaces
or count the hours
that suddenly feel too quiet
instead
find me in the little things

in the song
that catches you off guard
in the warmth
of coffee between your hands
in the softness of a sunset
you wish I could see

and if your heart aches
let it
love leaves fingerprints
on everything it touches

but please
don’t let my absence
be the ending of your story

keep living
keep laughing
keep becoming
everything I always believed
you could be

because if tomorrow
starts without me
I hope you understand
I was never meant
to be the end of your world

I was simply grateful
to have been
a beautiful part of it

5 thoughts on “Without me”

  1. “If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the brightest day and in the darkest night—amidst your happiest scenes and gloomiest hours—always, always; and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath; or the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by.
    Sarah, do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for me, for we shall meet again.” excerpt from “A Letter to Sarah Ballou” – Maj. Sullivan Ballou, US Army 1861

    One of the finest love letters this man has ever read is the “Letter to Sarah Ballou” referenced above. Written by an American Civil War soldier in light of the (relatively) inevitable death in combat, And that’s the striking relevance your poem has invoked to me.
    Such poignance.
    Such gravity.
    Such grace.
    Such a gift…
    But the gift is both to the recipient and the author. To have the moment to tell those who we love like no other how we feel so, God forbid, we don’t get another chance.
    There is a lesson here you have so graciously taught us. Never stop writing. Tell those you love that you love them. Even if it’s 1,000 messages a day.

    Reply

    • What a beautiful love letter indeed. It was shared with me and it changed me. Thank you for sharing it here for others who may want to read it.

      I think there are certain things in life that we are never meant to leave unsaid. The people we love deserve to know, not someday, not when the timing is perfect, not when we find the right words, but now. I always say, if you want something to happen, you’ll make it happen. No excuses.

      Because we are never promised another conversation. Another morning. Another chance to reach across the distance and say, I was thinking of you. I’m proud of you. I’m grateful you’re here. I love you.

      And perhaps that is one of the lessons grief teaches us: that what feels like an ordinary moment can become a sacred memory without warning.

      Because one day, all we may have left are the words we gave each other.

      And if that day comes, I hope there are thousands of them.

      Thousands of I love yous.
      Thousands of I’m grateful for yous.
      Thousands of little reminders that say, You mattered. You were loved. You were never taken for granted.

      Thank you for reminding me that writing is not simply about finding the words. Sometimes it is about making sure the words find their way to the people who need to hear them while there is still time.

      And yes… I think I’ll keep writing.
      And loving.
      And saying it again and again.

      Even if it’s a thousand messages a day. ❤️

      Reply

Leave a comment