Sometimes God Sends Us A Cowbell

I knew a time when days were bleak
and thoughts were total gloom,
for surgery had left me weak
and life seemed like a tomb.

I felt the sting of many tears
and thought that I would die;
consumed with doleful doubt and fears,
all I could do was cry.

I knew my children needed me,
which made me sadder still;
where was the mom I used to be,
what happened to my will?

And then one day my little Chuck --
was seven at the time --
came to my room to cheer me up,
said, "Mom, you'll be just fine."

He brushed a kiss across my cheek,
as tender as a rose;
I was so touched I could not speak,
so I just blew my nose.

In his left hand he held a bell,
the kind that bovines wear;
he said, "Look, Mom, till you get well,
I'm here to give you care.

"I found this bell down by the spring;
it's old and rusty too,
but when you shake it, it will ring,
then I will come to you."

Now I look back some thirty years
upon that stirring day
and realize God dried my tears
and took my doubt away.

My little boy, His instrument
to turn my will around,
I know was truly heaven sent
with a cowbell that he found.

The thoughtfulness of one held dear
comes wearing angel wings
that gently fan away our fear
and give us hope that sings.

Copyright © 2000 Ruth Gillis

"Sometimes God Sends Us A Cowbell" was previously published
in the April 2000 issue of Poet's Review.