Awakened by grace

 ‘awakened by grace’ Trgates,5/22,6/21/2026

awakened by grace,
first cries, first tantrums, first scraped knees
“Daddy when do I get to date?”
(some culminate in due course with a ring)
not always easy on a heart
in due time would have a pacemaker assist.
another grace,
“grandpa I don’t think it’s fair, grandma died.”
Amen, I agree.
soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, dance,
24/7 gifts with smiles, tears, loud laughter,
birthday shopping, of course
some moments of chosen silence.
again awakened by grace,
(miss those before adoring these lights)
I remember the firsts,
todays transcend those in shadows,
and we are given another grace
with each next, and.
on another day’s setting a whisper’s heard,
as I’m walking out of the room,
just had our hugs and kisses goodnight,
“Papa I don’t want you to let go of the grass.”
awakened by grace,
I see all those before me,
more coming too,
and I stop.
in this breath shared,
if given another
are our nexts, ands, and firsts.