Thought for the Week: I was born light-filled
'I was born light-filled' by Kate Rastall
I was born light-filled.
Becoming aware of the spokes of my new life,
I reached out in wonder and grew along them,
Filling them with feelings,
Experiences,
Knowledge
And memories.
They fascinated me and I turned with this wheel of my life,
Adding to it and changing it,
Becoming it,
Ceaselessly turning.
At 4:30pm on May 18th, 2012, my life stopped.
An unseen rock threw me on my side.
Dented, muddied, unable to move, I lay wounded.
Bewildered and helpless, I felt my life fade and diminish.
Until one day, opening my eyes,
I glimpsed the light-filled point at my centre.
I felt its strength and warmth as I was righted
And I knew myself again in that light.
I looked out at the ragged spokes
As they slowly and unevenly started to turn again.
I gave thanks for this life
With which I can travel across the vast and mysterious world,
For I know that this turning life is mine,
Although I am not this life.
And I know that I am not alone in the light,
But am one of many,
Joined by a love greater than any of us
And we journey on together.
Kate Rastall
Emily Rastall, an attender at Milford Haven Meeting in Wales died of SUDEP in May, 2012, four days after taking her final exam at Birmingham University. In this poem, her mother, Katharine, reflects on the moment when she became aware of an inner light that gave her the strength to continue.
You need to login to read subscriber-only content and/or comment on articles.