By: Marlene Oxender
A few weeks ago, I stumbled upon a poem I’d written but never shared. It sat in the archives of my computer.
Good to go. No reason to change it. But there I was, looking at it once again and wondering what to do with it.
In my attempt to change a few words, I saw a new poem taking off on its own. A poem with no direction. A poem with no title.
Since I’d been thinking about my younger brother Stevie, who had Down syndrome, I continued writing the poem with him in mind.
He seemed so perfect while he walked this earth. And now I know he’s doing quality work as an angel – for I am overwhelmed.
As I was writing about being overwhelmed, a song by Phil Collins, “You’ll Be in My Heart,” came on the radio. I stopped typing, listened to the words in the song, and became overwhelmed once again. I think Stevie is paying me back for all the teasing he endured while we were together.
It’s been a year since he passed away, and I’ve been amazed at the fun “little angel” moments that I know were custom-made for me.
Nudges from Above
I can’t see you
yet my spirit knows you’re here.
I can’t touch you
but I feel you in the room.
I can’t look into your eyes
but I know you’re looking into mine
and watching over me.
I can’t hold you –
yet here you are beside me
sending your love in ways so new to me
reminding me of sweet stories
and times we were together.
I didn’t get to spend
the rest of my life with you
but you spent the rest of yours with me
and oh, there’s beauty in knowing that.
Someday we’ll meet again
and pick up where we left off.
You’ll teach me how to do my angel work
as well as you’ve done yours.
There’s nothing better than knowing
we’ll be together someday
as angels on assignment.
Serendipitous moments we’ll custom-make for them.
And problems – we’ll send help in ways
only they will recognize.
We’ll wipe their tears
and make burdens disappear.
They’ll feel nudges from above
and kisses in the wind.
They’ll see our face in everything
and wonder what’s going on.
They’ll feel divinely guided
by wisdom and by grace.
The time will come when
their days on earth are done.
We’ll take them under our wings
and show them how to do their angel work
as well as we’ve done ours.
And oh, the happiness they’ll
discover while working undercover
as angels in disguise.
———————–
Marlene Oxender is a writer, speaker, and author. She writes about growing up in the small town of Edgerton, her ten siblings, the memorabilia in her parents’ estate, and her late younger brother, Stevie Kimpel, who was born with Down syndrome. Her three published books, Picket Fences, Stevie, and “Grandma, You Already Am Old!” are available on Amazon. Marlene can be reached at mpoxender@gmail.com