I know it has to be this way
I'm standing here
By your bedside
Looking down at you and wondering
"Why must you be in this state?
Why can't you stay with us longer?
Why? Why? Why?"
Then I slowly begin to admit
You are approaching the third stage of life.
Yet it is so hard to acknowledge
You live a good life
With love
And family
You grew old
But still so active
Very loving, very wise
And now you are sick
Laying on this hospital bed
Where so many tears are shed for you
And we all realize
That the end for you is near
So we cry
Drop after drop
From your husband to your grandchildren
To me, a distant family member
But I feel their pain
Because you have been around me
For 16 long years
And my heart aches
From deep inside
To the physical evidence of tears
I show my love for you
For someone who has been there
For someone who is about to go to a better place
Thank you
For being you
For being here
I understand that it is your time to go
To a better place
Where you will be free of pain
And watch over all of us