Sparks of life and living…
Tuesday night,
thunder shaking house
hail rattling windows; lightning rattling me,
crisping neighbor’s tree
green to brown in seconds.
Phone screaming….son’s strong voice cracks
“mom I just hit someone…..”
Storm hammers down as we peel back pitch darkness
to find his truck.
There it is, like a dislocated elbow tilting from empty road
but where is the other car?
Where?
Oh God.
Lightning shrieks. There in the gravel, a small gray mound.
No.
Somehow my feet are moving, running.
One grown hand rises into the thunder
from a wheelchair,
it’s broken inhabitant spilled out onto dirt like a bag of seed
ripped and tossed
metal and glass
gravel and bone
angels leaning in to grasp fragile thread,
soften steel on skin,
sparks of living fanned,
guarded from rain;
spirit, stay.
Time dropped to knees,
ground into asphalt
voices drifting, calling, praying
heaven spilling into ugly places,
rivers pouring light through rain,
unseen hands bringing supply, grabbing life, gathering help
like soft warm bread to soak up the dying
and breathe back some wholeness.
Lights blue and red and rushing, blaring, burning into night,
questions fast and hard…..pumping boy to man in seconds.
badges pressing down heavy
then easing weight of road from sagging shoulders
“unavoidable”……”accident”…….”you stayed”
And a lonely young woman with no one to call
is soaked in love
like a dry creekbed,
a river running through it now.
While Love rains down,
bones mend,
hearts heal
sleep comes
peace hovers
and my soul bleeds fresh raw thanks for the life of my son
and this whole fragile, messy, painful, delicious business
of living.
(Prayers so appreciated, my beautiful blogging community, for gentle John, who was unhurt physically but
whose huge heart aches and shakes over the wounded woman in the road and the awful images of the night.
Also for her….for restoration in every way that a life can be mended.
Loads of love and thanks,
Jen)
OH, dearest Jennifer, please consider the poems coming fast and furious for both your son and the wounded woman. Sometimes things happen that can’t be helped. And it sounds like this was one of them, but it doesn’t make the pain too much less. Yes, he did grow up that night, vaulted unceremoniously and violently into the world of adulthood, of the next phase. I am grateful John was unhurt, but you know as well as I that the hurt inside will take a long while to mend. Sending you loads of love back.
Ooops. Above I said “poems” were coming fast and furious. I meant prayers. You knew that — but just to make sure you did.
first…so very, very thankful for what was and what was not!
praying for your son’s precious heart, that God will comfort and dim the images.
“restoration in every way that a life can be mended” yes, for physical healing, but there is a healing
worth more than that isn’t there…
Jen, praying grace, peace, rest, over you and yours!!
Jennifer, I read your poem fast, imagining the worst, trying to put it all together at the same time I was shaking, feeling your sheer horror at the turbulent moment you got the call and rushed to the scene.
I’m so thankful that your son wasn’t hurt physically and the young lady wasn’t killed. I only hope that she will mend totally and your son’s anguish will fade with a little time. Like you said, he grew up fast that night. Thankfully time heals all wounds but can also leave scars. As a mother I share in your grief about this unfortunate accident. Keep us posted on the condition of the young woman. Hugs and prayers to you, your son and the rest of your family… JB
How traumatic, Jennifer. Prayers sent for your son and for this young woman as well for healing to take place and their bodies and souls to be mended. Emotional hurt is sometimes harder to heal than the physical one. Thinking of you
My heart aches
and then it soars
My arms yearn
and then are full
your words startle
and then soothe
your son is in my prayers
as is the young woman.
I too am grateful
what was possible
wasn’t
what is possible
is
healing
Hugs
Your poetry is so emotionally gripping..so beautifully evocative. I hope that it is cathartic for you..healing. Sending healing wishes to your son..and to the poor woman.
I’m hoping that as this story continues everyone will be able to heal and become stronger.
My Darling Friend….
have been thinking of you and your son and your story since you emailed earlier…..healing healing healing, my friend……
Warmest all around,
Liz
oh yes, jennifer, prayers to all of you.
body heart & spirits
mend, make whole again, beloved Maker,
keep making us, healing, healing, healing.
amen amen
XOX
Time will heal all wounds and we are all thankful that no one was killed. Freaky accidents happen all the time and he will have the strength to work though this one too. Love and peace of mind to John.
You have raised an amazing man. My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time.
Dear one I am sorry what John had to witness. May the peace of the Lord Jesus bring him comfort and to your family as well. Blessings and safe hugs.
Jennifer I am sending prayers to all of you with love and healing. Your poetry is beautiful..spirit flows through you and out into poems. Beautiful. xoxo
Thank God, oh thank God for His hand of protection. Please know I will be praying, praying, praying.
Jennifer-
Praying for you and your wonderful son, and the woman. Praying to the One who promises those who love Him, that He will bring good, even from tragedy. Your poetry is gripping, even in you comments.
God bless you.
The Lord hears the prayer that is stuck in my throat … many prayers.
Oh, Jennifer, what a heart-rending call that must have been. Praying for your son and the woman, and so grateful it wasn’t worse than it was.
Always love coming here … your writing is beautiful. So glad everyone is ok.
So so thankful that your son was kept safe through this Jen! You have my prayers! I will pray for your son and this woman, that God will heal every part of them inside and out…And you Jen will be in my prayers too. This momma thing comes with so many emotions that can exhaust us. You are in my prayers also.
My hugs are sent to you Jen.
♥Lee Ann
Oh youch. So hard to read. So sorry to hear. Many, many healing prayers being sent for your son and the young lady who was injured. Prayers for your son to mend his heart and soul. Prayers of strength, health, healing for the young lady.
prayers, hugs and love …
real life soaked into your words and images today .. relief and happiness for the outcome ! Your writing is just so stunning and heart wrenching ..sending you much love!!
I just stopped and prayed for all involved in this tragedy… in Jesus’ name amen!
~Ron
Jen,
My thoughts and prayers have been with you, your son and the young woman since this happened. {I did not realize that she was young until reading this; I had the image of someone of advanced years in my head.}
I pray that her recovery is going well, and that she realizes just how lucky she is that your son stayed, and that your family has enveloped her with such love.
You are truly remarkable, and I just love your beautiful heart!
xoxo, Anita
Thankful for what is …
time for healing
time for forgiving
Time to be
Your beautiful boy is a strong and wise man.
xoxo
sending extra prayers to your son and that poor girl…..
Oh my, it makes it harder to see his sweet face. You have a strong heart, and for the one that walks outside your body- well it’s a handsome brave and beautiful heart!