It is hard to believe, as I look ahead and beyond another Father’s Day, that my own father has been gone for three years, as it is equally hard to realize that more than three months have passed since my wife’s death. brother-in-law, and Less than twelve weeks ago my aunt lost her son.

This means that family members other than myself have also been grieving, whether it be the loss of a grandparent, parent, spouse, child, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt, or uncle. , a cousin and/or a close friend.

The point is that everyone loses someone, but not all losses are the same, nor do we all cry in the same way or at the same pace. Just as every relationship is different, so is every loss, but they can end up sharing two very different and distinct characteristics, gratitude and regret.

It was these thoughts, along with this quote from “Remember” by English poet Christina Rossetti ― “Better with much that you forget and smile than that you remember and be sad” That inspired me to write the following parable.

I really hope that the heartfelt message of “These Days” stirs up some emotions in you that we’ve all felt; emotions that shine a more encouraging light not on a person’s death, but on their life by helping to provide those who are grieving with a measure of gratitude for what was and less regret for what remains.

These days

A lot has changed since you left.

And desire; She had known it all along. How the loss of her would always mean.

My having to ask myself; what could have been.

Now I believe with all my heart.

We saddened two people when we parted ways.

It is the one we love; that is sure.

And the one; we once went.

Sometimes I don’t know who

I miss more. Maybe because;

We were so close.

I knew that life would turn into a penny.

When you said, “We’ve had plenty of time.”

And I found; how difficult it would be.

When I said, “We’ll never have enough for me.”

There are times,

Although you are no longer here;

When I feel you close

And it becomes very clear.

It is a memory like this that helps to see.

So sad, as it makes me;

How grateful! I should be.

Therefore, we must never forget the past.

It is only our regret that we must release.

In many ways there is no blame.

These days will simply never be the same.

©2019 Richard Lawrence Belford

In this life, we often leave or wish we had just five more minutes, please take one of them to share this article on behalf of those who miss not only their father, but anyone dear to their heart!