You Live On

The world says you live on in me.
I can’t deny that’s true.
My heart and mind are always filled
with memories of you.

Those soft, blue eyes that held mine
as, fists clenched, you drank your fill.
Your ease in rolling over early,
driven by your will.

Your athlete’s grace, your watchful face,
a face that made me see.
You were a child, but even then,
your spirit spoke to me.

You were my little buddy, Todd,
a rare, self-aware boy.
You knew what you liked best to do
and did it all with joy.

The He-man sword, the hero’s cape,
the case of matchbox cars.
Your zest for nearly every sport,
your zeal for chocolate bars.

Your joking and your juggling,
your quick hands and cool moves.
The way you always seemed to find
the right mood-music grooves.

The way your siblings loved you, and
the way you made them proud.
You were a little brother who
stood out in any crowd.

And as you grew, your shine did, too.
Your gifts were wide and varied.
In short, you were exceptional,
a prize and price you carried.

Your talents blessed and burdened you;
they lifted, and they lured.
I know you fought to use them well
through troubles you endured.

I loved your insight, empathy –
the things you understood.
I loved your love for medicine,
your yearning to do good.

I loved your depth, wit, wisdom,
brilliance, and the heart of you.
I loved being the mother blessed
to hold the start of you.

[I hold it closely, still, Todd; and
I hold the ending, too.]

When all is said and done, son, yes.
On earth, you live in me.
But here’s my joy: In heaven, YOU LIVE.
One day, so will we.

Eternally.

∞§∞

If you related to this poem, you may also enjoy reading Homecomings and Goings.