Move On, Move On

A tribute to my grandparents and their enduring love…

Walking the mall hand in hand

A pause to share a light, chaste kiss

Move on, move on…

Smiles from strangers who pass

To see these two elders still so in love

Move on, move on…

So long together they’ve always been

Still holding hands, gazing ‘pon t’other with love

Move on, move on…

Now clinging to life, so hard to let go

Not for himself but still for her

Move on, move on…

He hangs by a prayer and a hope

A hope to lift a hand to her brow once more

Move on, move on…

So many years for her he worked

For only her comfort, her joy

Move on, move on…

At peace now, for he knows

I promise she’ll not be forgotten

Move on, move on…

Ahead now he flies on to Heaven

There to await, again to take her hand

Move on, move on…

Lain for so long in the home of the forgotten

She always remembers her lover

Move on, move on…

The once lively eyes unfocused

Seeing who knows not what or where

Move on, move on…

So soon once he’d gone now it seems

She’s hurrying along for to follow

Move on, move on…

Not yet a year had gone past

Before she lay, herself to life tightly clinging

Move on, move on…

Told now it’s alright, go head, now move on

He’s gone ahead, is waiting Above for you

Move on, move on…

Passed on now to Heaven, to her lover

Hand in hand for all Eternity they walk

Move on, move on…

For Jack Averitt, passed 05 September 2008
and for Dorothy Averitt, passed 01 May 2009
 " and for the love they shared

Reviews

[MomzillaNC]

This is a tribute to my grandparents, both of whom found each other rather late in life… she after a disastrous marriage and tortured divorce… him after a life of desolation and despair… I was five when they married and they always treasured each other. My gran had to be placed in a nursing home, where she remained the last 10 years of her life, suffering from senile dementia. Grandpa Jack held on to life just to keep being there for her; he suffered so much with his failing health… He lived for her, to make sure she was taken care of and never left to languish forgotten in that nursing home. When he finally couldn't hold on any longer, he still wouldn't let go, wouldn't move on from the pain. He'd been released from the hospital because they couldn't do anything more for him and he didn't want die in the hospital. I sat at his bedside, holding his limp and trembling hand… he laid there fretting over her. He said he couldn't leave her with no one to take care of her. I took both his hands, looked him in the eye and promised I would never let her be neglected and forgotten. He gripped my hand hard, with his old strength, and smiled. It was such a distant, comfortable smile… Then he closed his eyes.

A few months later, the last time she was conscious, Gran kept asking for Jack. She'd forgotten everyone she ever knew. She seemed unaware of anything or anyone… except her Jack. She slipped into a coma and they took her off all life support except the respirator. Everyone said goodbye. She still held on. The doctors didn't know why. Everyone else told her it was okay to let go, to move on, but she held on. Then it was my turn. I laid on the side of the hospital bed, with her head on my shoulder. I whispered to her how much we all loved her. Then I told her that her Jack had gone on ahead, was waiting for her. Moments later, I FELT her go. It was like a sigh… the respirator was still working, but I knew she was gone. An hour later, they turned off the respirator.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

My grandparents were married for 75 years. My grand mom died shortly after my grand father. literally of a broken heart. a very powerfulmoving poem.

[MomzillaNC]

Thank you. It still causes me to tear up remembering the beauty of their love and bond. It was hard to lose them. It helps knowing they were so eager to be together again.

[Enigmatic Amor]

What a lovely story. Life is not always easy but it is so wonderful to share it with that one special someone. Beautifully written and shared. Thank you so much.

[MomzillaNC]

You're very welcome. I'm honored you found my words and their story meaningful. Thank you.

[Haley Lynn Thomas]

This poem makes me think of my aunt and uncle who have been married for forty years. Neither of them ever dated anyone else. They have the strongest marriage I've ever seen. They're so different but yet so perfect together. It also makes me think of my grandfather and the grandmother I never met. My father tells me my grandfather loved my grandmother more than anything; that she was his soulmate. It also makes me think of the stories I read where two people who've been married a long time die within hours or days of each other. Sorry I'm rambling but it's a really sweet poem and I think it perfectly captures that kind of true, unconditional love; that unending bond that not even death can break. Nice work!

[MomzillaNC]

Thank you. It was a tribute to my grandparents, both of whom found each other rather late in life… she after a disastrous marriage and tortured divorce… him after a life of desolation and despair… I was five when they married and they always treasured each other. My gran had to be placed in a nursing home, where she remained the last 10 years of her life, suffering from senile dementia. Grandpa Jack held on to life just to keep being there for her; he suffered so much with his failing health… He lived for her, to make sure she was taken care of and never left to languish forgotten in that nursing home. When he finally couldn't hold on any longer, he still wouldn't let go, wouldn't move on from the pain. He'd been released from the hospital because they couldn't do anything more for him and he didn't want die in the hospital. I sat at his bedside, holding his limp and trembling hand… he laid there fretting over her. He said he couldn't leave her with no one to take care of her. I took both his hands, looked him in the eye and promised I would never let her be neglected and forgotten. He gripped my hand hard, with his old strength, and smiled. It was such a distant, comfortable smile… Then he closed his eyes.

A few months later, the last time she was conscious, Gran kept asking for Jack. She'd forgotten everyone she ever knew. She seemed unaware of anything or anyone… except her Jack. She slipped into a coma and they took her off all life support except the respirator. Everyone said goodbye. She still held on. The doctors didn't know why. Everyone else told her it was okay to let go, to move on, but she held on. Then it was my turn. I laid on the side of the hospital bed, with her head on my shoulder. I whispered to her how much we all loved her. Then I told her that her Jack had gone on ahead, was waiting for her. Moments later, I FELT her go. It was like a sigh… the respirator was still working, but I knew she was gone. An hour later, they turned off the respirator.

[Haley Lynn Thomas]

Oh wow that is so incredibly touching! I can't even begin to explain what that makes me feel! It's so beautiful! What a blessing that they found each other.

[Haley Lynn Thomas]

Thank you for sharing your grandparents story and your poem!

Haley

[MomzillaNC]

You're very welcome.

[TL Boehm]

This is so beautiful. the simple eloquence and the story of two so in love - put a lump in my throat.

[MomzillaNC]

Thank you. This piece is also very powerful for me, especially at this time, as tomorrow, 05 September, is the anniversary of my grandfather's passing.

[Bill O. Writes]

Choked up with tears here. Beautiful tribute.

[MomzillaNC]

Thank you. That really does mean so very much to me.

I still get choked up when I re-read this one. And, tomorrow is the anniversary of his passing.