Grief from a child’s perspective

Gone too soon, my sister

I was too young to understand

I saw the tall man bringing your coffin, I thought you were asleep, but when you didn’t wake up, I realized you were gone.

It’s so confusing because in my mind I see your smiling face, How is it that I was now looking at your exposed head in a coffin?

You were only 13 and was full of life, you were going to be going to high school, and you were like an angel. Now you were laying there not moving Your bright eyes are closed and they say you are gone too soon.

I saw mom and dad fight, drink and smoke I saw mom try to choke back tears…when I asked where you were

Honestly, I thought your absence was temporary

There was yelling, screaming, crying, doors slamming and deafening silence in our home There was sadness in songs, distance in people and very little talking or walking

Long faces, sad faces, swollen eyes and loud cries

No more fun days

The rooster didn’t crow, the dogs laid low

It seemed like all the farm animals were trying to avoid us humans

No mistaking…you were missed for being gone too soon.

I saw mom tie a bandanna tightly around her head

I saw the doctor give her pills to take before bed Dad told all of us kids to play in the yard and not go anywhere

I saw my active siblings standing still with blank stares

Some kids at school acted weird, some teased and laughed saying, ‘your sister is dead…killed by a drunk driver’

Some cried out loud in classrooms and didn’t play at recess

We had to walk past your painted image in the street in front of our house

Oh my sister going to school…I dreaded.

Everything and everyone is different without your joyful presence

This absence is not making my heart grow founder…. you are simply gone too soon.

Why didn’t anyone tell me this was permanent?

No one asked how I felt

Everyone thought I was too young to ask me my thoughts

I was young indeed, but sister…I felt empty and broken

My grief for your loss was unspoken

My oldest beloved sister and best friend…met her earthly end and is gone too soon.

Written by Andrew Folkes