Ten Years Without You

It's your tenth birthday

That you missed.

We have been there

For each birthday.

Felt your mother’s longing

And affection displayed

With different flowers

Each year, roses, irises,

Orchids and other flowers

Enjoying the rest of their

Lives nurtured in vases

Around the assembly of

Framed photos that shine

In your precious corner

As a reminder that you

Remain with us.

Four-Four are not numbers

But symbols that show up 

Not randomly, to alert us that

You are surrounding us.

Last time we saw you

Was on Labor Day,

Adding another Four

Not a coincidence to have

Labor and Four that year

Again another symbol for

The labor of your mother’s love

Carrying you for nine months

Flying in the eighth to Oxford to

Pass her doctorate thesis defense with

Only you witnessed her determination..

Her labor has not stopped

Nor her generosity to share

With us her love for you.

By Lina R. Hamadeh

Excerpts from Twenty One, Summer Rays-Solace for Bereaved Parents

A poem sent by a friend

Oh bright and shining star! Where are you tonight?

You went away and darkness fell upon me. 

You went away and a chill touched my being.  

Oh bright and shining star! Where are you tonight?

You teased me with wondrous glow. 

Now, you are not here and only remnants of your presence remain.

Oh bright and shining star! Where are you tonight?

I long to feel the warmth of your kiss upon my cheek. 

I miss the tender caress of your rays. 

Oh bright and shining star! Where are you tonight?

With you, my days are too short. 

Without you, my nights are too long. 

Oh bright and shining star! Where are you tonight?

Only you can take away the dark clouds. 

Only you can bring that elusive 'pot-of-gold'. 

Oh bright and shining star! 

My provider of life......my inspiration.......please come back to me. 

I will never let you go......

                                   ........again. 

by William Hobdy

April 2016

Happy Mother's Day

March 2016

Honey in your name

Your Visit

You knew that your siblings had gone

Wanted me to know, there remained one

You felt the misery I was in,

Tapped my shoulder and raised my chin

Although I’ll try to describe

Your embrace and the associated vibe

I am sure I will definitely fail

And my words will not prevail

To portray the feeling I had

And how I was extremely glad

My blood started rushing through

The moment I dreamt of you

“I came from heaven all the way

To comfort you during this short stay,

Let you know that I care

And of your suffering I am aware

Your separation from us brings you pain

This happens to you time and again

Mother, now, it is time for me to go

But, I am always with you, that you know”

I felt so different when I woke up

It was a trance that shook me up.

Randah R. Hamadeh, 2016, Copyright©

Author of Summer Rays: Solace for Bereaved Parents

February 2016

My Son's Wedding

Since they were born, I always had a very special relationship with my children. They had no doubt that the best thing in my life was having them and that they are my top priority. My children also knew that I am the rock that they can hold on to, the friend they can always turn to, and the only person who has unconditional love for them.

After my daughter, Samar passed, my two surviving children came to understand that a mother’s love to her child continues after his/her death. They witnessed how I have been dealing with my loss all these years.  They came to know that, they and my love for my deceased daughter are the oxygen that I need to start each day and go on.

This year, and as my son’s wedding was approaching, my family, relatives and friends were apprehensive about how I will be on that special day. Since my daughter passed away I had not attended any weddings except my nephew’s and two nieces’ weddings and these weddings were outside the country. In the eight and the half years of her departure, my son’s wedding would be my first public appearance at a wedding in my country.

I was not worried about how I will react on this special day, since I was confident that my love for my children is stronger than any other feeling I have.  It was my son’s special day and one of the happiest occasions in my life. I wanted to give him my love and support, and not allow my sadness over Samar’s absence from the wedding to overshadow this happy event.

As the day was approaching, I assured myself that I should not worry and that all would go well. I knew that I would still miss Samar, I also knew that I am a strong person, and will not allow anything to go wrong on this joyful occasion. On that special day, I woke up for the Morning Prayer even without hearing the call for prayer or setting an alarm. My internal clock woke me up. I prayed and asked God to give me all the strength that I need to portray the love I have for my son. Although I was confident that Samar was going to be with us, I prayed that she would be by my side during the wedding and let her spirit embrace her brother on the happiest day of his life.

The wedding began. Not a single tear dropped, not a sigh! Everyone, including my son and his bride, saw the glow in my eyes and my radiating love and joy spreading all over the hall. I felt Samar’s presence throughout the evening. She was by my side and helping me to offer a spectacular evening full of love to my son.

I was the happiest mother on earth that day.

January 2016

Received by email on New Year's Day from a Friend

2016 Calendar

New Year

Here comes another year

Without you, daughter, dear.

I don’t look forward to a new-year

Though with each one you are here.

I am counting one by one

Since the year you had gone.

Years started to pileup,

And still more lineup.

As I turn the calendar page by page

With beautiful memories, I engage

 In my heart and mind you are alive

Without it, I can’t another year survive.

Randah R. Hamadeh, 2016, Copyright©

Author of Summer Rays: Solace for Bereaved Parents

Happy New Year