The HOPE Group

A poem written by HOPE member, Kristen Grein, in loving memory of her son Gordon on his sixth birthday.

Once upon a time in a land not to far away
a baby was concieved on a warm fall day.

That baby was growing inside of me
and it wasn’t that long before people could see,

my baby bump was really starting to show,
I didn’t realize how big my stomach could grow.

For nine months I carried that baby inside my womb,
I had no way of knowing he would be leaving so soon.

After 40 weeks of pregnancy bliss,
an absent heartbeat we couldn’t miss.

Even through prayers and all our good will,
my son would be born but would remain very still.

The heartache, the pain, the anger, the grief,
would last a lifetime but people thought it would be brief.

Once all the signs of my baby bump were gone,
everyone thought I should be able to move on.

People would say that god has a plan,
this was a theory that I could never understand.

Or the ones that would say “god only takes the best”
those were the ones that never layed their son to rest.

It has been six years and the pain is still very deep,
I dream of my angel every night when I sleep.

He is my son and into this world he was born,
and forever a piece of my heart will be torn.

Ayva Sophia Grein, daughter of HOPE member Kristen Grein, wrote the following poem in memory of her brother Gordon.

Little brother my little one.
The sad days had begun. 

With you in my heart.
My love with you should never fall apart.

With you turning six.
I wish you have a great wish.

On this your special Father’s Day
Remember your baby who would want to say,
“I love you Dad.  You are the one.
I’ll always be your daughter or son.
Feel my kiss upon your cheek
And know that someday I believe we’ll meet.
Until then, let your tears come, (or not)
And love my mommy lots and lots.”

Author – Angel K

A Poem submitted by HOPE member, Kristen Grein.  Author Unknown.

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.
I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear, “It’s me, I haven’t left you, I’m well, I’m fine, I’m here.” I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea, You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.
I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care.
I want to reassure you, that I’m not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key. I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said “it’s me.” You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair. I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.
It’s possible for me to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, “I never went away.” You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew, in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is over….I smile and watch you yawning and say “good-night, God bless, I’ll see you in the morning.”
And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide, I’ll rush across to greet you and we’ll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see. Be patient, live your journey out….then come home to be with me.