Missing You

These are the days I miss you almost more than I can bear.
Autumn days filled with swirling leaves
And cold winds
And smoke rising from chimneys.

Do you remember teaching me the poem about autumn?

Come little leaves said the wind one day....

Do you remember peeling apples from the front yard apple tree
Before the storm ripped it up, roots and all?
Do you remember always acting surprised when I came into
your bedroom every morning with your shawl behind my back?
You never let me know you were only pretending to be surprised every morning by this gesture of my love.

Do you remember how much I love you?
Do you remember the summers I stayed with you?
Do you remember teaching me to skip?
Do you remember --- me?

What must it be like in heaven?
Do you remember waking up one morning, believing you were there?
Do you remember being disappointed to find out you were here instead?
Will you be waiting for me there?
I miss you so.

I had a dream about you a long time ago
You were in the back yard with Daddy Clair.
He had been in heaven several years already.
Yet, he was there, welcoming you.
The dream was a wonderful gift for me. I believe it was from God Himself.
He wanted me to know you were well and happy.

I long to dream about you again.
I long to skip again.
I long to bring your shawl again.

I love you.