DOES ANYONE REMEMBER?
Did anyone here know my little boy...
The one who brought us all that joy?
Does anyone remember he had a name?
His big, brown eyes, his curly mane?
Were you ever around when he gave out hugs?
That “teddy bear” gave your heart a tug.
Could you answer all the questions that he had?
Or think his voice sounded like his dad?
I wonder if you knew how excited he’d be
When he thought about coming to Lowry City.
How he loved the farm, the house, the store.
Being with family meant even more.
Did you notice when he grew into a man
Kind, quiet, ornery, with such gentle hands?
Could you see in his eyes how much he cared
About each of you and the things you shared?
Then don’t be afraid to tell us so.
It’s the only way we have to know
That our boy still lives in your memory
That he’s not forgotten, that he’ll always be.
Talk to his dad - its hard for men-
And when you think you’ve said enough, then say it again.
We never get tired of hearing your heart
But don’t make us be the ones to start.
Say his name to me - how I love to hear
“Ryan Boy” - its music to my ear.
Let me know you miss him round the Christmas tree
Passing out gifts with Timothy.
Please don’t ignore the empty space -
That no one’s sitting in his place.
Its fine to cry or not to cry.
But please don’t act like he didn’t die.
I know that your silence he’d understand
He was never one to make a demand.
He’d know you’re uncomfortable to bring it up
That you might make us cry, or our day you’d disrupt.
But I’m his momma and I feel such pain
When no one even mentions his name.
When the family meets, then goes their way
And my loss is ignored - no one knows what to say.
I know you remember him. You miss him, too.
But can I ask just one thing of you?
Talk about him to me, laugh or cry
But please don’t let the memory of my Ryan Boy die.
Written after Christmas 1998 - Carolyn Lawrence
1 comment:
Thanks for sharing, Carolyn and Terry...not just your hearts but for sharing Ryan will all of us for the brief years he was alive. We still have such fond memories of our visit with you in Tinley Park. We were just starting a family and watched you with all three kids, admiring your authenticity. Years later, we visiting you in Hudson - after Ryan had died and we had the girls - and one of the memories we still laugh about is Tim and James wrestling. Tim was determined to give James a taste of what Ryan would likely give him if he was still alive...but James had grown quite a bit and was a little more than Tim expected! :-) Love you!
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