I Was 15

by Tiffanie Shanks
West Ohio Conference Intern
June 2009

I was 15.
I walk into the room
My mother
A hospital bed
A machine
Another one
I was 15.
I stand beside the bed
No strength
No movement
No breath
No life
I was 15.
My father had asked us
Keep her alive
Allow her to die
Uncomfortable silence
I answer
I was 15.
My father tells me “She’s gone”
I smile
There’s peace
There’s comfort
There’s God
I was 15.
I sit beside the bed
It’s okay
I say
For her
For me
I was 15.
Others come in the room
They hug
I leave
They cry
I smile
I was 15.