Loss Taught Me - a poem extract from 'Excursions in My Mind'

Loss taught me.
Loss taught me that death comes
Both to the old and the young.

Loss taught me.
It taught me that I won’t have people around me forever.
The good I need to do to someone today,
I may not have the opportunity to do tomorrow.

Loss taught me.
It taught me that what I have is the present.
The future lies only with God, who knows it.

Loss taught me.
It taught me that life gives
No advance early warning in many cases.
Events happen without notice,
We must be prepared at all times.

Loss taught me.
It taught me that life must be forged
In the midst of hardships.

Loss taught me the value of tears.
Just as the rains come down to wash away debris and dust,
Tears unleash can bring relief.

Loss taught me.
It taught me the priceless value of friends.
I would have lost it but for friends.
For friends who care.
For friends who pray.
For friends who visit.
For friends who text and email.
For friends whose words I rely upon to keep sane.
And the greatest friend of all – Jesus.

Loss taught me the strength of faith.
Faith in a God who understands.
Faith in a Saviour who gave His all.
Faith in a Comforter who walks by my side.

Loss taught me the relevance of family.
And it brought strongly to me the responsibility I have
Towards my wife and children.
Towards my parents and my siblings.
Towards my flesh and blood.

Loss taught me about the frailty
And transient nature of man.
It taught me humility.
It taught me about the urgency of service,
Of touching lives,
Of mentoring,
Of legacy.
Of making hay
While there is still sunshine and life.

Above all, loss has made me a better person.
I don’t take things too much to heart.
I can smile at irritations.
Loss has taught me
to enjoy the journey of life,
not just the destination,
To smell the roses,
To watch the setting sun,
To laugh
when something is funny.

Loss has made me
Look at work/life balance
In a whole new light.

Loss has made me
Look at future decisions
In a whole new light.

Loss has really taught me.