I worry...
I worry
Every single year, I worry that we’ll forget your birthday
Also I worry that when I go to the store I’ll forget to buy olive oil
And that I’ll forget to renew my passport when it expires
I worry sometimes that I’ll forgot the sparkle of your laughter
Of course
If you were here, you’d remind me
Five days before
Three days before
And once, on the actual day
Your reminder would be punctuated with a gentle laugh and perhaps a shrug of indulgence
Becoz you were responsible like that
even as a tiny toddler, you took it upon yourself to redeem my derelict immaturity
We miss that
Your unrelenting kindness
Just as we miss the joy of your wayward hair
And the wisdom in your eyes
We will forever miss your imagination
Your Depth and understanding
But we hold your memory fast in our hearts
With gratitude for the time we had with you
Steadfast and sturdy as you were
In this transient world
HaPpPpPy birthday golden girl
Shine on
Shine on