My heart shed tears
As I listened to the story of the
the fifty-eight year old man
Who lost most of what he had
House, car, and friends
Peace, pride, and joy
as a result of one unforeseen misfortune
My eyes shed tears
As I listened to the story of the
twenty-five year old woman
diagnosed with an incurable stage 4 cancer
raising two young children all on her own
not ready to leave her children
alone here on this earth
My ears shed tears
As I listened to the story of
the fourteen year old child
who willingly took his own life
after many years of being bullied
laughed at, spit on, and ridiculed
just because he did not look and act a certain way
My lips shed tears
As I listened to the story of
the forty-five year old woman
mentally and physically paralyzed
left for dead
after being abused by her unfaithful husband
of twenty-two years
My heart shed tears
Tears of empathy
As I listened to each of their testimonies and life stories
My heart shed tears
Tears of appreciation
As I am reminded that my life
With all of its pain, disappointments, mishaps, and mistakes
Is worthy to be cherished, respected, celebrated, and lived
My heart shed tears
Tears of gratitude
For this precious gift called LIFE
by K.L Register