Gently, Goodbye

by Linda McDonald

My love…my life, we’ve been partners in this game for so long.
We are one player.
We have tolerated so many quirks in one another for so long…
Can we even name the quirks now?
We’ve laughed together, wept together, fought together, parented together,
as husband and wife.
Now I see the life ebbing slowly from your being.
My heart is breaking…I can’t lose you.
How can I go on without you?
Yet I must take care of you now. You are tired and you are hurting.
My love gives me endless energy so that I can be at your side
to cherish every remaining moment that God gives us.
Let me serve you, my love,
as you have so gently tended to me in times of need.
God will support me now while I support you.
And when God quietly takes you from me, I will weep.
I will know that your pain is over.
I will know you are waiting for me.
We will again be united in love with our Father in heaven.