Gone - Now What?
The Unnecessary Line
That awkward moment...
What to do when someone has lost a loved one.
Cards don't seem sufficient.
Flowers fade.
Presents may leave a painful reminder.
Words fail.
"Let me know if you need anything."
Ugh. Can you return my loved one?
While all of these gestures are appreciated,
A long, comforting hug is most gratifying.
The bright, warm sunshine reflected his cheerful disposition.
Make sure your hug is:
Caring without council
Supportive without scrutiny
Timely, when doubts may arise about future lovability.
Memorable, meaningful.
Don't stop at one hug. Offer freely every time you meet.
Not into hugs? Suck it up! This isn't for you.
Someone else needs this from you.
You may need a hug in the future.
*
To Will Norris, may you rest in peace.
About the Creator
Julie Lacksonen
Julie has been a music teacher at a public school in Arizona since 1987. She enjoys writing, reading, walking, swimming, and spending time with family.
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Heartfelt and relatable
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A Gathering of Evil Bosses
โIโm the queen of chin jutting while I smooth my hair, attacking, insulting, and deflecting to protect my appointer.โ โOh, please, Blondi, my hair is curled, highlighted, and longer than yours. I feature television commercials telling immigrants that we will give them a free plane ride home, and if they voluntarily turn themselves in, they will be allowed to legally apply for re-entry. It runs everywhere, and I look good in it! You canโt compete because of your blond hair. Mine is nicer, and my lips are prettier than yours.โ
By Andrea Corwin 7 days ago in The Swamp
Comments (18)
Lovely.
I like this entry for the challenge, Julie. The unnecessary line made me sit back and think about similar situations. Congratulations on your leaderboard placement, and best of luck to you in the challengeโฃ
congrats on your leaderboard placement and good luck in this challenge!
Wooohooooo congratulations on your Leaderboard placement! ๐๐๐๐๐๐
Beautiful, sad, true. Great work, Julie.
aww, beautiful and sad.
Congratulations on your leaderboard placement!๐พ๐ฅ๐
Hugs can be more powerful than words for sure.
Fabulous work Julie! Brilliantly-crafted! ๐๐พ๐๐พ๐๐พ
Beautiful ๐คฉ
what a beautifully love filled poem. Even your unnecessary line was touching. Great job
Love it
It starts with love. . . Love everyone. No one goes to hell. Heaven is in the Heart of Love.๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น
A hug truly can convey so much. Loved this!
Grief is probably one of the hardest emotions to express. But you did so here, beautifully and respectfully. A great one, Julie.
You are so right, with the words expressed in this poem. I realize everyone means well and I have taken it that way, but in reality, especially when you loose a child. My son was murdered at 44 years of age, in 2015, and the words, "Sorry for your loss", I am afraid fall dreadfully short. Thanks for writing this, Julie.
Wonderful expression, and the unnecessary line belongs there
I never know what to say to people in these situations. Next time, I'll just remember the hug ๐