The Trailbreaker

     We were going to remove the Christmas decorations from Tracy's grave a couple weeks ago, but I just could not face that in the dreariness of days of inversion. Since freezing rain is predicted for our area soon, we decided to try it today, in spite of the recent snowstorms. Removing reminders of the best part of winter from the reminder of the worst part of our lives, is a grim enough task without slogging through snowdrifts to accomplish it. But the lesson the Lord had for us through that duty was as tangible as the wreath and light we brought home.

 

The Trailbreaker

 

Due to our recent winter storms,

the path to Tracy's grave today

was drifted feet deep in snow.

Reed held my hand as we 

struggled to walk through it

together, side by side.

 

But then he realized

the walk would be easier for me

if he let go of my hand

and walked ahead of me,

breaking a trail

for me to follow.

You, Lord, are the Trailblazer.

Your life lit the path

from birth to the grave.

Your death blazed the trail

from the grave to God,

for millions to follow.

And you, Trace, are the Trailbreaker--

the first of our family of five

 to walk the path to heaven.

Though letting go of your hand

has been the hardest thing

I have ever done,

 

the path to the grave

for our family, for me,

will be easier knowing

that you are just ahead

waiting, hand outstretched,

for us to follow.