To Our Loving Parents

The air is filled with love today
it helps us hide our sorrow
We only wish we had the chance
to spend the day with you tomorrow

We never got to say goodbye
what we’d give for one more day
Many words we didn’t get to say to you
before you went away

We’d talk about what you have missed
and things that might have been
And then we’d share our dreams of what
the future might portend

We’re proud to have you as our parents
we hope we make you proud too
Whenever we tell our stories of you
our pride shines right on through

You ensured our needs were always met
often forgoing your own wants
You instilled in us a work ethic
passed down generations without flaunt

You were always there for us
no matter the reason or the favor
Never once did we doubt your love
never judging our misbehavior

And although you may be gone
we often feel you hovering nearby
Just imagining your warm embrace
one only a parent can provide

All our memories of you are good ones
of this you can be sure
Although it may not have seemed that way
when we were less mature

Our gratitude is boundless
wish we’d told you that in person
Without your love and guidance
our lives would be less certain

We now return your ashes to the earth
joined together near this stone
Here where grandpa and grandma rest
in the place they called home

One day our lives will also end
perhaps again we’ll be together
Until then, we thank you both
for loving us forever

——

Special Note: My brother and I are fortunate to have had such wonderful and loving parents. This weekend, we will be spreading our mother’s ashes next to those of our father, while reading this poem.

——

Linked to dVerse Poets Pub — Open Link Night, where Lillian is hosting.

36 thoughts on “To Our Loving Parents”

  1. What an absolutely beautiful tribute to your parents.
    These words made me smile:
    “All our memories of you are good ones
    of this you can be sure
    Although it may not have seemed that way
    when we were less mature” There is such honesty here 🙂 I think your parents would smile at these words too.
    Joining your parents together again….spreading your mother’s ashes next to your father’s …. this is the culmination of true love for them and you and your brother are enabling that.

  2. I’m so sorry for your loss, Ron. This is a beautiful tribute.
    My mom died during the pandemic, so we never did get to say goodbye. My sister has her ashes and my dad’s. She lets them visit each other sometimes.

    1. Thanks Merril. Sorry for you loss. We have a small amount of my dad’s ashes so he too can take part.

  3. Couple more weeks, My Beloved Sandra and I (& her 7 siblings’ families) will be doing the ash release into the ocean, somewhere off Ogunquit, Maine. Fine tribute poem, Ron. Posvibes heading your way.

  4. I’m sorry for your loss, Ron. I can feel the love throughout this poem and it’s extremely heartwarming, beautiful, and poignant (in the way of grief). This is such an emotional, beautiful piece dedicated to them.

    Much love your way.

  5. Lump in the throat, tears in the eyes. So warm, so heartfelt, so fragile, and so beautiful Ron! May this weekend be beautiful and moving, as I am certain it will be!

    1. Thanks Rob. I’m find myself getting emotional whenever I think of my parents, grandparents, and family in general these (getting soft in old age). I just hope I am able to get through the reading without too much voice quivering.

  6. This is such a deep and heartfelt poem Ron. So sorry for your loss. This will be a beautiful tribute to read for your mother. I wish you both all the best. I can see your love and bond is strong!

  7. Ron, I can’t imagine how tough it was to write the poem as it will be tough to read it. You and your brother are living testaments to the kind raising you were given by your folks. What a beautiful ceremony you have planned.

  8. I got a lump in my throat reading this Ron. I hope I can be half as worthy a parent as both of yours were! Sorry for your loss.

    1. Thanks. It was tough to read. I couldn’t get past the first line, had to pause, regain my composre, and restart.

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