Gazing at Old Photos

by Cheryl Merrick

Seeing my younger self,
I remember when life

stretched endlessly before me

so full of possibilities. 

Filled with sparkling optimism,

I faced forward gazing

into the vastness of my future.

Now, fifty years have passed.

With knowing eyes,

I look back at my younger self

and smile. 

The years have been good,

but far harder than

I ever could have imagined.  

In these years, 

full of heartaches and joys,

my faith has been tested,

my talents honed,

and my love has grown.

With hope I still look forward,

but with an awareness that 

my time here is no longer "endless",

and wonder what more I can do.

Is there someone I can help?

Are there things I yet need to do?

So many I've known are gone now -

grandparents, uncles and aunts,

cousins, parents, and brothers.

There is an emptiness in my life

that they once filled.

I'll continue longing for them

until I join them on the other side

where eternity will truly 

stretch before me

full of sparkling possibilities.