After the devastation and loss,
A profound thought came into my mind.
We lost so much, so quickly,
But gained even more, in that moment in time.
When my daughter awoke on that first Sunday after,
I immediately cringed at the thought of getting up so early on the weekend.
Then I realized there were two year olds elsewhere calling "Momma",
And there was no Momma to answer their calls. I ran to her crib!
When my sister called with her many problems,
That always seemed petty, even more so now,
I listened anyway, trying not to judge,
Knowing I was lucky to have a sister alive to complain to me.
When I went to church, and sang songs that filled my heart with sorrowful awareness so deep I felt I had lost a relative of my own,
I knew for sure, they were my brothers and sisters,
Though not by blood.
Now, after, I feel so lucky,
So temporarily safe,
In my home filled with rooms standing firm.
Breathing in fresh air with a family complete.
With the knowledge that those who suffered,
made our hearts ever more pure, and know for sure what took me many years to realize.
This life is just a moment.
After is what matters.
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