You have set out on a journey with your loved one at your side
You have no map you can follow and there seems to be no guide.
There is no way of predicting when you’ll reach the journey’s end,
And no way you can catch a glimpse of what’s around each bend.
Yet you bravely take your loved one’s hand and together, travel on,
Not really realizing the long distances you’ve gone,
Or the fragments of your loved one that you’ve lost along the way,
For you’ve focused your attention on getting through each day.
There may be days you round a bend and find that no one’s there.
Just remember in these lonely times there are many who do care,
And are waiting to extend a hand if you’ll just reach out your own.
Love for your loved one’s not enough; you can’t do this alone!
There are those who’ve gone this way before, to use as a resource.
They’ll help you wend your way along your now uncharted course.
There are friends too, who’ll support you, on your journey, as you go
But maybe cannot find the words to somehow let you know.
And family members full of love to help you bear the load,
Who want to travel with you, down this long and winding road.
Do not hesitate to seek them out, all want to be a part
Of making this trip easier; of lifting up your heart.
There really is no answer “Why?” this is happening to you,
But one thing for certain, with some help you’ll make it through.
It’s also true that life right now is not as you had planned.
You really didn’t have a choice when fate dealt you this hand.
But as surely as each day goes on and is followed by the night,
At the end of every tunnel, out of darkness, comes the light.
So even though it seems at times you can’t get past the pain,
There are always many special things that will bring a smile again.
As you try to live each moment on your journey you will find,
That you’ll tuck some precious memories in the corners of your mind.
You already do the best you can in everything you do.
When the final destination comes, all these things will comfort you.

(Printed with the kind permission of the author, Marge Dempsey, St Catharines, ON)

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