One of my greatest joys
was when I looked into your newborn face
for the first time.
You were my first born, my only son.
You were crying and I was crying with you,
but for different reasons for sure.
Your tears were the shock and trauma
of leaving my warm, safe womb for the bright,
cold, noisy atmosphere of the delivery room -
your first introduction  to the outside world.
My tears were of a joy so deep that I would only
experience that same feeling twice again in my lifetime.

Now I am crying again,
only my tears this time are a sorrow so deep
that it goes far beyond any sorrow and pain
I could possibly ever have imagined.
My heart feels as though a knife has cut it to shreads
and left it in scattered pieces that can
never be put back together again.
Oh, in time,
I'll find most of those pieces
put back in their places,
but there will always be an empty place
where a missing piece will never be found,
and from time to time, as inside healing takes place,
pain and sorrow will rush forth with a vengeance.
But one day, I know, healing will be complete,
and a thankfulness that I had you to hold and love
for this short time on earth.
Forever would not have been near long enough.

I will always love you my son.

                                             Sherry Norman  Sept. 21,1998