Today I Run East

I came across this poem a few years ago in a different time and different place and it really stuck with me.  I did a search for it again today, and again, love its message as it hits home so much more.  Today, we move onto the next step of our journey as Dad moves from the hospital over to CareLink.  We will update with more details of our day later, but in the meantime, I hope this poem encourages you as it has me.

Today I Run East!
(A promise of HOPE)
By Barbara D. MacAdam

When I got the news, my world stood still.
Like a breath in the twilight, tightly held through sheer will.
 So I’ve stayed in this dream state, suspended in time,
where the past has not left and the future’s not mine.

Fear swells within me, and try as I might,
I can’t stay where I am. I know I must fight.
With a gasp my lungs burn, as I climb to my feet,
but which way should I run—toward the West or toward the East?

The West holds my dreams & joys of my past.
They are trapped in the sunset—how long would I last?
I’d have to keep running just to stay in the light,
but I’m growing so weary. I need help with this fight!

I rest my eyes briefly, lying prostrate due west,
mourning precious time spent on this futile quest.
The dark at my back, creeping forth from the East,
holds the fear of the future like a stalking beast.

My heart has grown weary. My mind cannot cope.
 Shattered dreams slip through fingers—I’m losing all hope.
Then a small voice recanted a promise I’d heard.
 “Come to Me all ye weary,” you can trust in My word.

It brought back a stirring of rekindled faith.
 I was flooded with HOPE and began to shake.
What if I stood and faced down this beast—
my fear of the unknown, that loomed in the East?

It then wouldn’t matter if I froze or I ran,
for God’s earth has kept spinning since all time began.
So I turned toward the darkness, no longer alone,
and stepped in with arms reaching, as my soul searched for home.

And though the sun set behind me.
I felt inner peace,
for SUNRISE will soon meet me if
TODAY I RUN EAST!