by Lucy M. Young
Today I visited the cemetery
And walked among the gray memorial stones.
It was so peaceful there -
The sun shone brightly through the new green leaves,
Flowers blossomed around the stones
And birds sang softly, joyously
In praise of springtime's resurrection.
I paused beside the grave of my beloved nephew
To pray and to remember all the joy he'd brought into my life.
I could almost see his happy smile,
The mischief in his twinkling eyes
And hear again his clever witticisms
As he managed to find humor in misfortune.
Our country's flag waved proudly o'er his plaque,
A tribute to his service in Vietnam.
Who knows what horrors he encountered there,
What pain and mental anguish he endured,
The helpless grief to see his buddies fall,
And the depth of loneliness so far from home and family?
But now he is at rest,
His earthly tasks completed.
No longer must he suffer pain or sorrow.
Happiness and peace are his forever
As he rests within the gentle arms of Jesus.
photo: Kenneth W. Burrell - beloved nephew, son, husband, father, brother
Woodsmoke and Cardamom 