After

Did you remember how it felt not to have to fight?

To simply be, to love, to laugh, and watch birds soar out of sight?

To sit outside, enjoy the breeze, and see the turning of the leaves.

Never mind the bigger things like working to get by,

That’s not what really mattered once your time was nigh.

What mattered was your family and your many close friends,

The ones who stood by you and loved you until the bitter end.

So now we try to honor you and hold our heads up high,

To smile and keep on moving through knowing this is not goodbye.

We know you’re in a better place where you can feel no pain.

We try our best to be strong ‘til we see you again.

Still, we wait impatiently wanting to be called home,

For we know when we do, we’ll not have far to roam.

We’ll wrap our arms around your neck and hold on for all time,

For then we’ll be together again with no need to say goodbye