The first anniversary of your departure is upon us. We miss you so and will honor you today and always. xoxo

I WISH THE MOMENT HAD NOT COME

TO SAY GOODBYE TO TWO NOT ONE

WITH TWICE THE SADNESS

AND SURPRISING PAIN

THE FLOODS OF TEARS

ALL SHED IN VAIN

UNANSWERED PHONE CALLS

SLAY ME BRUTAL

ALTHOUGH I KNOW

TO DIAL IS FUTILE

AND IN YOUR HOUSE

TWO EMPTY BEDS

WHERE NEVER AGAIN

WILL YOU LAY YOUR HEADS

WE FEAR FOR FEELINGS LEFT UNSPOKEN

AND EARLY GIFTS WILL NOT BE OPENED

YOUR QUIET GESTURES LARGE AND SMALL

ARE AMONG THE THINGS WE NOW RECALL

THOSE SMALL REMINDERS EVERY DAY

OF LITTLE THINGS YOU USED TO SAY

AND EVERY MIRROR’S SYMPATHY

REFLECTS YOUR FACES DEEP IN ME

A BOX OF PHOTOS

TELL THE STORIES

OF YOUR YOUTH

AND ALL YOUR GLORIES

OF HOW YOU ENDED

UP TOGETHER

AND ALL THE STORM CLOUDS

YOU HAVE WEATHERED

WITH ALL THESE YEARS

NOW PASSED BETWEEN US

OUR SLIGHT REGRETS

WILL NOT DEMEAN US

WE LIVE WITH LOVE

AND ECHOED LAUGHTER

FOR SILLY THINGS

AND NOTHING AFTER

 AS MEMORIES RUSH

AND NOSTALGIA FLASHES

YOUR HISTORIES FILL

TWO URNS WITH ASHES

WE ARE SO UNSURE

OF WHAT WE’RE THINKING

EXCEPT THIS CONSTANT

FEEL OF SINKING

 ACCORDING TO OUR PARENT’S WAYS

AHEAD OF US ARE BRIGHTER DAYS

WE’LL LAUGH AGAIN AND SMILE AND SING

AS ALL OF US MOVE PAST THIS THING

 NOW, NOT TO END THIS POEM IN GLOOM

OR LEAVE YOUR SPIRITS SEVERED

EVEN WHEN OUR SMILES DO BLOOM

WE’LL MISS THEM BOTH, FOREVER

Billowing Japanese Draperies

Talking to people when they are on the Toilet

The Pope's Ring

Organ Donation

Bette Davis

Marilyn Monroe

The Colors of the Change of Seasons

Coral Lipstick

JaMocha Almond Fudge Ice Cream

Cherry Pie

The word "pumpkin"

The "Pixie" cut

Opium, L'air du Temps, and Tabu Perfumes

All things Gone With The Wind

Lucky Wishbone Fried Chicken (and Shrimp)

My Sister and Brother

Thinking Of My Dad