Holding On
My world now
A whirlpool of emotions
Mostly low and lower
Finding a breathing space
Shocks me
It is dark
The day has been
Intense
Tomorrow promises
More of the same
Before bedtime
Friend comes
With tears in her eyes
Love in her heart
Born of Friendship
Born of God’s Love
She places gently
Into my hand
A small bag
Silky soft
But heavy with its burden
Like my heart
‘Something for you to hold onto’
She says
Within is a stone
Solid
Sure
Of Beauty
Of the Earth
She holds me
She prays for me
She disappears into the night
That Day we held
The Dust of his body
We thanked
We prayed
Before letting go
An Earthen vessel gone
Returned to the Earth
From whence it came
His Soul returned to God
From whence it came
All that remains
His love
His stories
His laughter
His special ways
His uniqueness
Our memories
The pebble sits
Comfortable in my hand
Reassuringly solid
I will learn to allow
Those memories to
Sit comfortable in my heart
The rock
Something of the Earth
A dull grey green
Feldspar – Laboradorite
But
With illumination
There is play within
Light Returning colours
Making a gem of it
I do hold on
Solid Assurance
All is not lost
Just Changed
I hold memories
I hold joys
I hold sadnesses
I hold experiences
As couple
Become part of who I am
Now as one
And
God Holds me
Nestled safe
In the palm of His hand
With Illumination
There will be play within
His Light returning colours
Making Gems
Of us all…
Words, Photographs and Painting © Denise Stanford 2013
From the Archives:
Within the Vine 
Beautiful, Denise, reaching the hearts of all who know loss, grief, pain, solitude, joy, grace and love. May your own heart be knit with His, who knows all our pain better than we even do. Rosemary
Denise, your words in poetry are simply beautiful to read, and so healing to the soul.
The friend you speak of, …what a precious gem, and sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s prompting, to visit you at just the right time.
I love you Denise, dear sister in Christ.
Hold on to Jesus,…He is faithful.
Denise, as I’ve often said, you are such a good writer. You express yourself so well and just reading your blog often
affects me emotionally. It’s a gift and we are privileged to have you share your gift with us. You are an amazing woman of God and I admire your faith in Him. Keep going and growing, my dear friend. Love you.