I will remember your sweet southern charm
and that just as sweet iced tea permanently tucked under your left arm.
I will remember those beautiful New Mexico days,
the sandhills and mesas, and the Latino music that always played.
I will remember the puzzles, the sunset walks, and that pecan picking tree those dark starlit nights in the desert that always made me feel free.
I will remember the Uppy Downy’s that I always wanted to ride.
I loved all those mysterious places in your backyard to hide.
I will remember Poco the horse and the Pigeon named Cornbread,
bottle feeding the calves, and listening carefully to everything Grandfather said.
I will remember your room full of Avon boxes, and that scorpion on the ceiling. I’ll remember those slow strolls around the block in those early evenings.
I will remember our Christmases in Texas where the presents dwarfed the tree, and how all the aunts and uncles said yes when I asked them to play with me.
I will remember the rope swing out front and the camper out back,
oh, and that porch swing at Gigi’s outside my room, lit by a pink glow from the hurricane lamp.
I will remember those magical childhood days and be thankful you gave them to me. I’ll make sure to pass those memories down the family tree.
I will remember how you showed me the signs and taught me how connected we all are; in the desert where there is no such thing as time, and our worries were small.
Rest now in your heavenly place, where you are pain-free and not crippled by time. Get some relief and revel in all that is now yours with the supremely divine.
You’ve earned it.
So smell the flowers, ride the rainbow, eat the chocolate, I know just what you’ll do, and someday soon I’ll be up there doing it with you too. I can’t wait, but until then, I’ll take care down here and look for you in the beautiful blue.
