In memory of Lillian Havenga: October 22, 2022 ~ September 2, 2021
For support while walking,
she leaned on the walls
of her dementia,
with small, shuffling steps.
Eventually, the walls
closed in around her,
until she no longer
felt stable when standing.
Lying on her back
in the narrow bed,
she hopes the ceiling
will hold back the walls.
She tries to accept
this next stage of life;
with diminishing dignity
and just a touch of grace.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
for Lillian Havenga (1922 ~ 2021)
Lily-of-the-Valley
always grew under the thornapple
next to the trout stream
on your spacious farm.
You always admired them;
large linear leaves
with tiny, delicate blossoms,
petite like you always were.
I laid on my belly
to photograph them one spring,
and gave the photo to you
for your 97th birthday,
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as you laid on your back
in your narrow bed in the home;
all of us knowing you wouldn't
be seeing them growing again.
But they still grow there,
and in the spring I will go there
to transplant some lilies
into the ground around
the gravestone for you and Dad.
© 2022 Richard Havenga
Photo Location: Grand Haven, Michigan (by Mary Havenga)
