By Contributing Author Lora Rossi, of The Hugging Home
I went to high school with a wonderful girl named Clare.
She was always smiling and brightened everyone’s day.
When Clare was 8 months pregnant with her first and only child – a son named Nathan, Clare found out she had breast cancer. She fought hard…but it spread and took over her body.
At one point during her valiant battle, a friend asked for stories about Clare to be submitted for a memory book that was being created for her son. As I was not a close friend, but someone who wanted to contribute, my heart pushed me to write a poem for Clare and Nathan as it was this courageous act of building wonderful memories for her son that moved me so – as the mother of boys myself.
Clare passed away on January 8, 2011. I was honoured to be asked (because Clare had requested this) to read my poem at her funeral service along with a close friend of hers.
I share this poem with you, in memory of Clare and the wonderful person and mother she was.
Lullaby of the Sun
(For Clare & Nathan)
She looks at him…
little hands, her sweet boy
and lives,
and gives
gifts greater than the sea.
They are grand,
they are wondrous,
they are tender from her heart…
she’s a part
of what will make him
her strong, gentle soldier.
And he keeps her from the cold
with his wiggles,
and his giggles…
his wide-eyed smiles
that last for miles…
They embrace her.
He’s her cocoon.
And it’s then quiet,
it is still.
Until…
she opens and unfolds
her colours, her wings,
like songs of butterflies
she always sings.
He reaches up high,
little fingers to the sky,
he needn’t chase…
he knows her grace…
and feels her beam across his face.
And he basks in the warmth
as he knows who it is.
Smiling,
he’s compiling,
the memories…
sweet melodies…
that keep him looking up.
The wind is her song
that will hold him tight
her warm light,
so bright,
he hears her whispers through the night.
It’s her lullaby for him;
like a kiss
against his cheek.
About a son and the sun…
about a boy and his mom.
– Lora Rossi (May, 2009)
May Clare rest in peace, and may her energy live on to inspire many forever.
She inspires me every single day.
About the Author: Lora Rossi is the busy mother of 3 boys, wife, writer, blogger, artist, DIYer, certified home stager, non-profit professional and has a passion for connecting with and helping others, especially through the creative arts and the written word. Lora specializes in parenting, family, kids and authentic living. She’s a ruler breaker, a cookie baker, a lawn raker, an earth quaker, a morning waker, an ass shaker, a for heaven saker, a home maker and most of all a hug taker. Check out her blog The Hugging Home.
