Emma wandered through the empty house Knowing he wasn't there But the memories surfaced anyway She could feel him everywhere... His pipe lay in the ashtray His jacket near the door Newspaper on the sofa, His slippers on the floor... She felt alone and so bewildered Tom was with her just this morning How could such things just happen Without a hint or warning? She simply could not accept it And yet, she knew she must But can even death obliterate 60 years of love and trust? Long ago, when they were young And she was still a bride He'd promised her she'd never wake Without him by her side He'd turned down good-paying jobs But they'd made it through somehow And he had always kept his word At least, she thought, till now... The future stretched before her Looking bleak and very cold She sat down weakly on their bed Feeling suddenly very old... Knowing she'd never sleep that night Without his arm around her She sobbed bitterly into the pillow And that was how He found her. "Get up, Emma...where's your faith? Don't lay there doubting Thomas! Did you really think he'd leave you? Or fail to keep his promise?" Emma sat up, badly frightened, "Who is that? Who is there?" "It's I, the Lord," the voice replied "Come to prove how much Tom cares! Long ago, on his wedding night When he had just made you his bride, He begged Me to look after you And keep you safely by his side. He vowed that he would care for you Through any kind of weather Asking only, ' When it's over Lord, Please let us go together! ' " |
"But now he's gone and I'm still here" Said Emma, wishing she could hide" "He promised I'd never wake alone But he's wrong, because he died!" "He hasn't died....he's gone ahead To prepare a special place... Reach out, Emma....take My hand And you will see his face!! Your match was ordained in Heaven But you each made the dream come true So helping Tom keep his promise Is the least that I can do... The life long vow you made each other In March of 1947-- Was honored on earth for 60 years And so shall it be in Heaven!" Dusty Richardson 2007 |
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| THE PROMISE |
