In Light of Tragedy

In the heat of summer,
while everyone was attending backyard parties
and river trips, he spent most his days
in a hospital bed.
And then, we lost another brother.

In the changing climate of fall,
as the leaves found their way back to the earth
and the rains threatened to flood Texas,
my mother followed.

Then, in the mist of so much tragedy, winter came
and brought with it a spark of light
so bright it shielded us from the darkness.
Even if only for awhile.

On October 28th my first Grandson was born,
seven pounds, twelve ounces,
twenty-one inches long.

Maybe, just maybe, their passing
was to make room for so much beauty
still yet to come.

We can only hope.