My Ariel and Me

In memory of Ariel Miranda Bicklein
April 10, 1995 to May 1, 1995
by Debbie Bicklein

I lost my 3-week-old triplet daughter, Ariel, on May 1, 1995. I have just now begun to deal with this loss and to view her brothers as something other than a "broken set". Multiple issues are very different and need to be addressed. Please add me to your mailing list.

I wrote the following poem recently for submission to the Poet's Corner to be distributed at our Christmas candlelight memorial. I thought this might be another appropriate place to submit it.

reprinted with permission

Just twenty-one short days
She lived and then she slipped away.
I hope she knows I love her
And I miss her every day.

When his and mine and ours make twelve,
You'd think I'd be all right;
But she's the one I think of
In the middle of the night.

My arms are full of babies -
Ages one to twenty-four;
But my arms ache to hold the one
Who I will hold no more.

I never dreamed that she could go
Before I saw her smile.
I wish that I could hold her now -
For just a little while...

I'd tell her all the things
I never had a chance to say
And tell her how it changed my life
The day she went away.

So in my dreams, I'll hold her tight
And in eternity,
I pray we'll be together then -
My Ariel and me.

Each one of you will understand
These simple words I write.
You too have babies that you miss
Each morning, noon, and night.

And so, my friends, for now we wait
And pray that in the end,
They'll be there waiting for us
And we'll all be whole again.

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