Remember Grace

A dear friend and poet wrote something quite beautiful about our wonderful Grace and what she--a mother herself--is attempting to learn from her. It's called "Remember Grace." Chandra only met Grandma a couple of times and only when her then oldest son, Chaetrian, was very young. But Chaetrian remembers Grandma very, very fondly. He was probably no more than five when she met him. She took time to know him. Chandra tells me she had a impact on her as well. 

On all of us.

Here's what she says about it. 

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Hey there.

I wanted you to see this....it a poem I wrote about your grandma and what I'm attempting to learn from her. I know it doesn't capture her....I didn't even know her that well, but she still has an impact. 

Thanks for sharing her with me and letting me know her (and you too)  

:)

Chandra

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Here's the poem. 

Wow.  Thank you, Chandra.

--Shannon

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"Remember Grace"

Over the phone,

a heartbroken friend thinks back,

“she used every minute of her life,”

the words attempting to capture

a personality that couldn't be contained.

She is gone

but leaves flamboyant trail markers

to guide us her way.

An obvious kind of sign post

for a life lived

full of

loves,

loses,

babies,

and dancing.

Grasping a small boy's hand,

bending down to see his eyes,

talking about cars, fishing, bugs--

things she knew were ageless

and that little boys were experts on.

Instead of ignoring,

she embraced him,

challenging herself to know and question and live and honor.

My mind is distracted.

I think of others,

so often encountered in this lifetime

who flit by,

blowing minor infractions into a darkened cave,

energy zapped and dispersed without any real gain.

Clouds rolling on the horizon

remind me to stay present,

remain here.

Let Grace guide me in my walk,

pointing out the iridescent intangibles

often over looked.

Telling me her tales of beginnings and ends.

Reminding me that these seemingly trivial details

matter more than anything in the world.

I feebly grasp her loveworn hand and walk on.

--Chandra Lewis-Qualls