Eileen Breedlove

TWENTY-EIGHT CROSSES

I couldn’t count the tears that were falling
throughout this holiday season.
My sisters with cancer and Guy’s Leukemia
I thought maybe that was the reason.

I asked Guy to make some Christmas gifts
having no doubt that he could.
Then I watched his pain and suffering
as he shaped each piece of wood.

He asked how many crosses I thought I might need
I said “as many as you can make”
Then the ugliness of Leukemia set in
Filling our world full of heartache.

How in God’s name will we make it
burdened by the weight of this cross,
Agonizing thoughts of life without him
knowing without him, I am lost?

I watch Guy working on a room full of crosses
as he hides every tear he cries.
I wonder how he finds so much strength and courage
to face ahead what lies.

Cutting, sanding, staining and welding
as he works with such tender care.
I know Guy is praying and talking to Jesus
with crosses hanging everywhere.

The Christmas gifts I asked him to make
brought us both straight down to our knees.
The twenty-eight crosses for the holiday season
brought Jesus to our house, you see!