Her grandpa’s funeral was over…but she still hurt inside
so she ran into her bedroom…closed the door…and cried.
On her bed…her face lost in her pillow…is where her Grandma found her
and with the gentleness of an angel…put her arms around her.
“I miss him so much,” she said…”and I know all this crying would upset him
but Grandma…I am so afraid…I’m going to forget him”.
“Forget him! Forget your grandpa…Why child…that’s an impossibility…
Take my hand,” she said with hers outstretched,…”come and walk with me”.
They walked into her back yard…to the confluence of two creeks.
And as they sat down by the water she wiped the tears from off her cheeks.
“What you and Grandpa had was special…and he wouldn’t mind it if you cry…
but you’ll never forget him as long as you live.” she said, “Let me tell you why.”
“These two rivers flow independently…at least down that way…where they start,
but when they come together…here…you can’t tell them apart.”
“You and Grandpa are like these two rivers. Since the moment your lives blended
it’s hard to know where your life begins and where your Grandpa’s ended.”
“Whenever two people share love,” she said, “in their own time and space
A harmony…a symmetry…a confluence takes place.”
“A confluence is like a miracle…one river born from two…
Which means you will always be a part of him…and he a part of you.”
“It’s a simple fact of life…that nature has created…
Once two rivers come together…they can’t be separated.”
The little girl placed her head on her grandma’s shoulder,
she held her hand…she wouldn’t let go…
and they sat in silence on the riverbank
watching the river flow…
Watching two rivers blend into each other
watching how only one departs…
and sharing in the miracle….
a confluence of the hearts.