I bring myself

by Meagan Hensley

I bring myself before him

And I ask

Why can't my skin be free of wrinkles

Why can't I run the same 

Why can’t I play with my children and grandchildren as I have years before

Why can’t I speak with such certainty as I did when I was a child

Why can’t I hear when people talk

Why can’t I lift books without feeling as if my body is failing

I bring myself before him 

Our merciful god

The one who has blessed us with

Water to drink

Shelter to have

Food to eat

Clothes to wear

And safety to keep

I ask him why we can’t stay young forever

Why my children and grandchildren must watch me fade away

Why I must be forced to watch as well

I bring myself before him

Our heavenly father

And he reminds me 

Of the sacrifices he has made to grant us with the things we so dearly love

And he reminds me 

We must make sacrifices too

I bring myself before him 

Our savior

And he reminds me 

My skin is full of wrinkles for the years I have lived and loved

My legs have weakened for the years I have ran and played

My mind has lost its spark for the years I have thought and spoke and protected

My ears have slowly given out for the years I have listened and listened

My body has put forth its effort for years and years 

It has given its best 

Protected me when I was alone

Loved me when I had no one else to love me 

Held me when I had no one else to hold me

And saved me when I felt as if I could not fight any longer 

My body has been a sacred temple

Lent to me by God

And it has fought for many years

So now when I bring myself before him

Our loving God

And I have decided

I will accept my fate 

My losses and gains

For I have loved 

And been loved

And that is enough for me