we miss you mom...

A year today since mom’s been gone.

At this exact time

one year ago

I held her hand

and reassured her

that she could go

and that we would all be ok.

A year ago at this exact time

it was sunny,

with a gentle breeze

and crisp autumn air

just as it is today.

One year ago,

as my father and I

walked back towards the car

with slumped shoulders

and tear filled eyes,

I saw two students from the nearby university

walking together with coffees at hand

sparkling eyes

smiling faces

and the contrast flooded my heart

with sadness

and wonder.

We made it past

the first Christmas

the first Mother’s day

the first birthday

the first death day,

and now,

we begin all over again.

Life is now fragmented

into before and afters

and when I look into someone’s eyes now

i can see they also have

a before and after

to live with

and it makes me feel

less alone.