A week has passed since Linda’s death and I have begun the process of adjusting to the new norm without her physical presence. Though the house is vacant and quiet, the reality of the love we shared for sixty years remains.
One of the most comforting and profound experiences of the last week has been a poem written by our daughter, Sheri, which she shared at both of Linda’s memorial services. I learned that she wrote the poem over the ten years of Linda’s disease and that she would write a new stanza every time her mom entered a new phase of dementia.
Each stanza represents a stage in the long journey and chronicles the progression of the losses experienced, including the present reality of her absence and our anticipation of resting in the loving arms of God in whose presence Linda now lives.
I share the poem with Sheri’s permission.
Glimpses
Glimpses, mere glimpses I see
Of a future reality that will come to be.
A lost word, a confused look,
An expression I mistook.Glimpses, mere glimpses I see
Of the mom who still knows and loves me.
Embarrassed by her lapse and my forgotten name,
I brush it aside because I love her all the same.Glimpses, mere glimpses I see
Of the mom she used to be.
A smile, a giggle, a twinkling of the eye
Remind me of a taken-for-granted time now gone by.Glimpses, mere glimpses I see
Of my mom slipping away from me.
I try and try to connect once again
To little avail, though; this is how it’s been.Glimpses, mere glimpses I see
Of where my mom will one day be.
In the arms of the God who loves her so much,
In the arms of the God she did always trust.Glimpses, mere glimpses I see
Of my mom happy, as she is meant to be
Cradled in love and joy and peace
After all these years, she is finally free.Glimpses, mere glimpses I see
Of a world without my mom physically
Close in my heart she will always be
Until that very day God cradles me.(Written by Sheri Carder Hood)
Shifting Margins 
Beautiful
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How loving and poignant. Thank you for sharing. Prayers for all of you.
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Powerful! Once again, we are blessed!
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I am so sorry for your loss. I know from your posts how much you loved her. May you be blessed with wonderful memories of Linda.
Naomi
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So so beautiful. Thank you for sharing! Prayers for your family ‘s Peace. Martha, from SC.
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Thank you for sharing this journey with us. May God’s presence continue to comfort you.2
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Glimpses, a beautiful poem of love.
We pray for your wonderful family, and for Linda at last in the arms of our savior 🙏🏻
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Bishop Carder, I’m so sorry for your loss. Your sharing of the journey you and your beloved have been on has been moving, insightful and inspirational to me. May Christ’s peace be with you and yours.
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Thank you for sharing. Eloquently stated.
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Ken
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss of Linda. Your daughters poem is so very true of us all who have lost a loved one due to dementia and Alzheimers. Thanks you for sharing it.
May all your wonderful memories bring you some comfort.
Peace my friend
Cindy
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Ken, you continue to bless us all with your postings. Sheri’s poem is beautiful as was your marriage to Linda. God’s Word is true, “Love never dies.” You and your family will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
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Thank you, Joy!
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Remarkable! Beautiful! Quite a tribute! Prayers and love. Take care.
Gail Gaddie
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