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Munchkin’s Dirge
“There is a sacredness of tears. They are the
messenger of overwhelming grief, of contrition,
and of unspeakable love.”--Washington Irving.
In 1965, my sister had five children. The youngest
boy was named Marc. He died of SIDS at three
months old. My sister’s mother-in-law blamed her for
the death; claiming neglect.
Funerals are rarely fun, but this one was
heartbreaking. The white child’s coffin was so tiny,
like a pet store box for a white rabbit. Marc’s
siblings, dressed in their starched funeral suits,
were bored and confused. They fidgeted and
complained. The youngest boy held on to a
Spiderman doll.
My sister sobbed like she was attending Christ’s
crucifixion. The minister droned on about how God
had called this cherub home early. Suddenly, I too
was sobbing uncontrollably. Time seemed to slow
down, and I found that some moments are caught
between heartbeats, moments that conjured images
of other innocent dead children from famine, war, and
abuse, moments to curse God for his shoddy
shepherding.
Glenn Buttkus
Prosery
Posted over at dVerse Posts Pub
A sad experience perfectly captured.
ReplyDeleteThe Washington Irving quote and your piece reminded me that most people have forgotten about the ‘sacredness of tears’, mainly because they see so many crocodile tears on television and in social media. You captured the tragedy of the child’s death in the description of the coffin, Glenn, and in the youngest boy holding on to a Spiderman doll.
ReplyDeleteOMG, this is profound writing, it makes me feel sooo sad
ReplyDeletemuch love...
Such a beautiful yet sad piece Glenn. There indeed is a sacredness to tears. They are my holy water, because I feel comforted after a cry.
ReplyDeletethat quote has haunted me these couple of years, tears are beautiful, an expression of both sadness and joy
ReplyDeleteSuch a sad tale. I can't imagine the sorrow of losing a child. As others have mentioned, that quotation is perfect, too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wicked evil mother-in-law to blame your sister. I hope she is burning for her meanness.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sad funeral for a precious little one! I think God cries with us...
ReplyDeleteVery powerful! That ending sums it all up very well.
ReplyDeletePat
Such a sad scenario for all of you! All questions and no answers, especially for the little ones.
ReplyDeleteUnbearably painful when a little one goes.
ReplyDeleteI like your assessment of the funeral service. The only sincerity is in tears. There can be no valid 'reason' or comforting 'explanation' for losing a child.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sad sad tale. Death is almost always sad, but a child is even sadder... maybe it's only the tears that mean anything
ReplyDeleteThe quotation is a powerful one.....and your write, I think, is one of your very best (although all your writes are so so good!). The last line.....the shoddy shepherding is so visceral and one I think some parents must feel when the inexplicably horiffic happens and they are overcome with anger and grief and that hole within themselves that is an emptiness that screams. This is an amazing write, Glenn. I hope hope it is fiction for you.
ReplyDeletePS: looking forward to Buck today as I am hosting OLN.