for irish katie who loved the world
and
left way too early
and
for her daughter rachel
who inspired
the happy nods of her mother’s head
and
who carries on
under the beautiful light
of her mother’s smile.
—
“death leaves a heartache no one can heal,
love leaves a memory no one can steal.”
-from an irish headstone
—
– and for all of those who have loved and lost someone dear to them
county donegal, ireland
watched an episode
of this iconic show
in honor of my late father’s birthday.
he told me a secret
about this agency
when i was young.
one day
he showed me his special
man from u.n.c.l.e. card.
told me not to tell anyone.
i was always fascinated by the world of spies.
made perfect sense to me
i thought advertising was his cover
why he traveled so much.
told everyone i knew immediately
told them not to tell anyone.
they told everyone they knew immediately
with the same request.
when i got married
i asked him about it.
he told me
that he thought
i had figured it out long ago.
we laughed for a long time.
he had
the most incredible imagination
and
he always made me laugh.
i still laugh
even when i think about him now.
and
as suddenly as
nacho the cat not the food
stepped into our lives
and became family
he has exited once more.
–
last night he slept
calm and close
purring and cuddling
warm fur soft and gentle.
tonight it will be quiet.
–
we are made better
for having known him
and
he’ll be
remembered for
his sense of humor
his friendly ways
and
his love of life.
we will all miss him dearly.
–
adios amigo.
until we meet again.
—
“there is no death. only a change of worlds.”
– chief seattle
to all those who gave and all those who lost
happy memorial day
—
image credit: tumblr.com
our perfect day
set out on an adventure
shared by
kindred spirits
–
up to the top
of the
empire state building
–
both had always wanted to
never had –
found our chance
–
saw it and looked
in amazement
at the world around us
–
next stop
a favorite park
playing in the autumn sun
–
sat by the water
talked about life
all the important things
–
scooby doo, spiderman,
stuffed monkeys,
people we love,
holidays, colors,
magic, fairies
–
calm and peaceful
took coins
kissed them and made wishes
–
tossed them in
watched them sink
as ripples moved
away from them
–
he asked me
what is your wish?
i shared
–
breaking the code of secrecy
that goes with all wishes
just this once
for this very special reason
–
my wish –
that you never feel sick again
(it’s been 2 long years)
and that we will share so many, many
perfect days
together
just like this one
–
i asked him
what is your wish?
he shared
breaking the rules
just this once
–
his wish
so powerful
i sat
just listening
–
tumbling
from the lips of
this 5 year old boy
who has endured
so much more
than most adults
in their entire lifetime
ever will
–
old soul trapped in a child’s body
his wish
was
the most amazing response
–
my wish
he said
in that most innocent of voices
is that all of YOUR wishes come true
–
we sat
in silence
looking at each other
both understanding
this would be our last perfect day together
–
we knew
these were our gifts
to each other
that we would always keep
–
gifts given
in their purest form
each only
for the other
–
we shared a moment
now held within us forever
on this,
our perfect day.
–
dedicated to my nephew h, who passed away soon after, (november 1, 2006), on a perfect autumn day.
–
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I didn't have my glasses on.... 