You open your eyes, the nightmare is real
Breathe in, breathe out, try not to feel
The weight presses down on your chest
You’ve lost the one you loved the best
You roll from the bed and continue to breathe
How difficult now it is to believe
As you stand, a panic enveloped your heart
It comes from the days of being apart
Breathe in, breathe out, it will subside,
As reality hits and you know that your child died
You shower and dress by pure will
Your life has become one bitter pill
Breathe in, breathe out, and concentrate
Don’t think, don’t feel, don’t contemplate
As you pull the car out and begin to drive,
Slowly you notice that you are alive
Heading east, to your surprise
You see a glorious new sunrise
And you feel something, ever so slight
A lightening of a heart-not quite so tight
Day by day you start to see
The things that will allow you to be
A survivor, a fighter, a poet of late,
A leader, teacher, a healer, a mate
You know in your heart that wound will be there,
But you also know that you have air
And you have life for whatever its worth
To keep on fighting and showing your mirth
You will always remember your child’s tenderness,
The loving and giving with each little kiss
Your child will be there when you go to sleep
The memories are yours to treasure and keep
So continue to breathe, it is important to do
And eat a good meal, and get some sleep, too
For many love you and worry a lot
All we can say is “Continue to breathe”
Written by Laura Baeur and published in Bereavement Magazine July/August 2001
