A Lantern to Remember Revised

On Mother’s Day,

My children, husband, and I

Gathered in a nearby field

My dad, sisters, brother, and their families

Commemorated in two other locations

One by one we lit

Each fragile Chinese lantern

To remember our mom

And our children’s grandma.

A loving mom and kind grandma who

Six months earlier left this earthly life

Multiple Sclerosis had taken its toll

15 years she battled this disease,

The last three years were most difficult

My mom who loved to walk

Forced to use a wheelchair

My creative mom who used to paint

Lost her fine motor control use of her hands

My independent mom

Constantly depended on family for basic help

My happy, easy-going mom

Fought depression, forgetfulness, and pain.

The tall, cylindrical, white paper lanterns

With the fuel covered square connected

To the bottom by a metal ring base

Were held upside down while

We lit the square

Then, carefully we turned it over

Right side up while

The gas filled the lantern

After watching my children participate,

I held onto the base of the last lantern

I held it tight

I didn’t want to let go

The lantern could not be contained

And soon it was pulling away

Wanting to be released

And soar into the sky.

Free at last

Into the night sky

Higher and higher the flame propelled it

We stood there watching

The lantern strong and secure

The bright flame lit the entire shape

Causing it to climb higher and higher

 Until we could only see a speck of light

Though others might not have recognized

What lit up the sky

We were mesmerized watching

To see how long the light would hold

And then the flame began to flicker

Poof, the light went out

My lantern had lasted as long as it could

We hoped it could travel all the way to heaven,

But it went at least several miles

Beyond where we stood

The lanterns were beautiful and memorable

But sadly, we wished we didn’t have to say good-bye

Bye Grandma

I Love You

You are the best!

Were the words of my eight year-old son

As the last lantern flickered high in the night sky

To his words, I add:  Dear Mom and Grandma,

We held on tight

For we didn’t want to let go

But Heavenly Father said the time is now

And released you from your earthly life

Away your spirit was carried.

Free from your body’s inability to work

Free from your cloudy mind and depressed heart

To our loving Heavenly Father you returned

On earth, we look up

Wishing you could still be here

Remembering how much you meant to us

Though we can’t see your spirit

We know your light still shines

You lasted as long as you could

Beautiful and memorable, we celebrate your life

Sadly, we said good-bye

But gladly, we know one day

We will see you again.

Bye Mom

I Love You

You are the best!