Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Since blogger won't let me publish any pictures (boo hoo, you know how I live for pictures) I've pulled out a bit of wordiness instead for your reading and reflecting pleasure.

This poem is posted on a plaque at the site of the Murrah Federal Office Building memorial in Oklahoma City.

And God Said
I said, "God, I hurt." And God said, "I know".
I said, "God, I cry a lot." And God said, "That is why I gave you tears."
I said, "God, I am so depressed." And God said, "That is why I gave you sunshine."
I said, "God, life is so hard." And God said, "That is why I gave you loved ones."
I said, "God, my loved one died." And God said, "So did mine."
I said, "God, it is such a loss." And God said, "I saw mine nailed to a cross."
I said, "God, but your loved one lives." And God said, "So does yours."
I said, "God, where are they now?" And God said, "Mine sits on my right hand and yours is in the light."
I said, "God, it hurts." And God said, "I know."



I think we never become really and genuinely our entire and honest selves until we are dead--and not then until we have been dead years and years. People ought to start dead, and they would be honest so much earlier.
- Mark Twain in Eruption

9 comments:

Autumn Storm said...

That's such an interesting quote from Twain, not sure what to make of that (maybe with more sleep and coffee:)

Above I especially like the part that reads "'God, life is so hard.' And God said,'That is why I gave you loved ones.'"

Keshi said...

Nice one...

U know losing a loved-one is the hardest to deal with...and sometimes no matter what God says, I feel Im totally lost in the pain...

Keshi.

Mo'a said...

I am so sorry that you have lost your friend. I have a quote that I use often in my mind when I loose a loved one. "Is it not better to have loved and lost, than not to have loved at all?"

Terry, you are in my thoughts.

tsduff said...

Good afternoon Autumn.. sorry I petered out last night :-) Fell asleep with the little boy on his bed while putting him to bed. Anyway, the quote from Mark Twain was an attempt at humor on my part - I like what he says. Go get some coffee and perhaps it will make more sense.

Keshi - I know. Thank goodness time does ease that sharp pain - or at least dull it some.


Mo'a - I agree with your quote. I would rather have loved and lost, than to never have had the love at all. It is a price to pay when you love.

tsduff said...

Thanks Trace :-)

javajazz said...

those are both beautiful
and honest pieces of writing...
but i have to say,
ya, Mark Twain!
life is on backwards...!
xo sending love

won tong said...

WOW TERRY I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN.. I HAD 2 CHILDHOOD FRIENDS DIE YOUNG 24 HR. APART IN CA. AND GEORGIA...I COULD NOT EVEN BELIEVE HOW MY HEART WAS RIPPED OUT AND TEARS ....SO MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS.. LOVE TO YOU ALL..GOD WILL BE A VERY PRESENT HELP NOW GO REST...

Agnes said...

Been to the Murrah Memorial. It's very overwhelming. I teared up when I read this the first time...and glad to read it again through new tears.

Mark Twain- What amazing perspective and ironic humor he had.

Thanks for a bit of enlightenment.
Hugs

Keshi said...

yep time helps...but sometimes time plays against us...it hurts more with time...

Keshi.