Beautiful and real, you've articulated so well the pains and joys of the latter years of a man of faith. Standing at the cusp of eternity, yet more limited by mortality than he ever has been before. I pray for Peter's joyful entry to Jesus presence, and hope and joy for his family when the time comes.
Beautiful in a way mere wordplay can never hope to be. This is so deeply bound to an individual life with unique fingerprints, yet transcends all that. How is it possible that I am gratefully praising God for Peter's life? Thank you for sharing your vision of his legacy.
I would love to attend this real life party! There is some small chance that I will be able to, as I may be out on the east coast around that time anyway. I shall keep you up to date.
Anna, thanks for sharing this narrative poem- while reading it I found myself in a similar place in a similar season of my own dad’s last days. The power of words. The quote at the end was well placed and well chosen. Praise God for those lovely examples gone before us!
Beautiful, poignant and aesthetically a feast
Thank you so much, Bishop
Beautiful and real, you've articulated so well the pains and joys of the latter years of a man of faith. Standing at the cusp of eternity, yet more limited by mortality than he ever has been before. I pray for Peter's joyful entry to Jesus presence, and hope and joy for his family when the time comes.
Thank you, Graham, for these encouraging words. I pray the same for Peter.
This is powerful, and beautiful. Thank you for seeing it so keenly, and for sharing so we can see it, too.
Rachel, thank you for these kind words.
Beautiful in a way mere wordplay can never hope to be. This is so deeply bound to an individual life with unique fingerprints, yet transcends all that. How is it possible that I am gratefully praising God for Peter's life? Thank you for sharing your vision of his legacy.
I’m delighted that you are praising God for Peter because of this poem. Thanks, Mark
This was truly touching, Anna. Thank you.
I would love to attend this real life party! There is some small chance that I will be able to, as I may be out on the east coast around that time anyway. I shall keep you up to date.
Thank you, Joel. You would be most welcome, it would be lovely to meet in person. I'll share more details in the weeks to come!
I will be keeping my eyes peeled -- not only for details of your party, but for the poetry that has been landing in my inbox and lighting up my eyes.
❤️
My dad would have loved your dad. “I am crying.”
Did you lose your dad recently, Timothy? I'm glad this tribute to my father-in-law resonated, thank you for reading.
Three years ago this October, to Alzheimer's.
Oh I’m sorry. It’s a terrible descent. Peace to you
Thank you. It is a terrible descent, but looking back, somehow I recall so much more of God's grace in it than all the difficulty and pain.
Your poem enabled me to write one of my own these last few days, voicing a question and answer that I've thought a lot about in the last three years.
https://soundingoutthewonder.substack.com/p/hidden-in-the-hollow-of-his-blessed
Thank you so much for sharing this, Timothy. It's a grace when art begets art.
Oh my. Thank you so much, Anna.
You're welcome, Zack. Always appreciate you reading and taking the time to respond in a comment.
Anna, you have beautifully captured so much of my dad in this poem. I read it with tears, joy, and gratitude. Thank you.
I loved this one!!
Thank you, Paige.
So, so beautiful. Kindness and grace in your words and in God's faithful keeping of His people to the very end.
Thank you, Jett. Yes and amen
Anna, thanks for sharing this narrative poem- while reading it I found myself in a similar place in a similar season of my own dad’s last days. The power of words. The quote at the end was well placed and well chosen. Praise God for those lovely examples gone before us!
Thank you, Consuelo. I'm sorry you're in those final days with your own Dad. Peace to you
Precious memories, vividly articulated with great love and dignity - tears
I'm so glad you sensed the dignity in what remains, it's true. Thanks for reading, Christine!
Enjoyed your poem about Peter! Really grasps a lot of old age. Love you honey!
Thanks, Dad, I appreciate you reading and leaving an encouraging comment!