Where Would You Be Today?

I wrote this poem in May 2006 in memory of my upcoming son's birthday. Kenny Chesney had recently released "Who You'd Be Today" and I got the idea for this poem from that song. It is so sad when we lose a child way too soon and we wonder and h

 

Where Would You Be Today?

 

James, soon it will be another July 15,

When you would have turned 23

And I’m not wondering only

Who you’d be today,

But where you would be.

 

Would you be in college,

Or wandering the globe,

Would you be working in a big city or small town

Nearby or faraway,

Would you be pursuing your dream

Of an oceanography career?

Where would you be today?

 

I see your cousins growing and moving on,

Their life changes and goes in so many different directions,

I am on the sidelines watching and observing and I wonder,

Where would you be today?

 

Your oldest cousin Jennifer, has returned to college,

Working toward her dream of being a social worker,

Started college, took some time off to work, and now is back

To earn her degree.

Maybe she will be helping others someday, maybe in Georgia,

Where would you be today?

 

Rachel, only a year older than you,

Is married & living in Virginia & has two children.

Would you have found your soulmate too?

Would you have a son or daughter too?

I know you’d be a great dad, because of the example your dad set for you,

And if you were,

Where would you be today?

 

Dustin, who will soon be 20 years old,

Is in the Army working hard to serve our country –

James, you weren’t here on 9/11,

Would you have wanted to join the military too?

These are scary times & I would have been proud

If you’d decided to sign up,

But how I would have feared seeing you leave for a war zone,

And if you’d joined the Army, Air Force, Navy or Marines,

Where would you be today?

 

Your youngest cousin Elizabeth is so tall,

She was just five and so small

When I took the two of you to the beach that day in August,

The last time she saw you.

Now she’s nearly 14, she’s almost lived as many years as your lifetime,

She’s full of smiles, answers and vitality. 

She’s a typical teenage girl and she’d make you smile and roll your eyes,

If you could see her, if we knew

Where you would be today.

 

James, where would you be today?

College, military, career, marriage –

City, town, USA or Europe -

 Where?

 

It wouldn’t matter to me or dad

Where you’d be today.

 

If only you would be here.

 

By Mom

May 2006

In memory of James for his upcoming birthday 7/15/83

 

Reviews

[Michael X]

This poem has a way of stirring the readers soul,
heartwrenchingly beautiful and very well written.
Take Care, Mike

[BrightEyes]

an amazing though tragic write; I'm so sorry for your loss. As a mother I can only imagine the heartbreak; a pain that no parent should ever have to face. What a tribute to James this piece is - shows how loved he was in this life and even in his absence. Wherever he may be now; I'm sure he smiles down on you and your family.

*hugs*

[emz]

Oh my god.... i am crying reading that poem.... such sadness and such a heartfelt piece.. i wish you happiness and peace.

Emz x