breathe and pray as deeply as possible

It is hard to know where to start here at the end

of this stay in the hospital.

You are resting your eyes

and I, your son,

keep watch,

thankful for your life

of quiet strength

and dry humor.

These six days of disruption

have exhausted you.

Pump your ankles,

slide your heels

and raise your arms

each hour.

Walk when you want to sleep

and don’t forget to inhale

as deeply as possible

ten times in succession all the long day.

Let’s make each labored breath a prayer

for yesterday was Ash Wednesday

and Sunday is Valentine’s Day.

Let’s make each breath a prayer

for God has enough love

for us to make peace with being human

and I do believe

beauty will emerge from the ashes.

breathe and pray as deeply as possible

by troy cady

for my father

february 11, 2016