"Your Memory Will Stay" by Jan Andersen

This poem speaks to me. I miss you son, so very damn much.

It seems like only yesterday

I rocked you on my knee,

With dreams about the future and

What you were going to be.

You were so bright and happy

Such a precious little boy,

You gave your love to everyone

And filled our hearts with joy.

Strangers would admire you

And stop to say hello,

"He'll break a lot of hearts," they said,

"In twenty years or so."

But less than twenty years from then,

What they said came true,

As we were forced against our will

To say goodbye to you.

A life so short and unfulfilled,

With so much left to go,

"Why, oh why?" we ask ourselves,

When we all loved you so.

Life shows us many options,

But whichever path we take

The destination's still the same

Whatever choice we make.

So many questions flood our minds,

"What if, and Why and How?"

If we had done things differently,

Would you still be with us now?

I don't know what the lesson was

That you were sent here to learn,

But now your purpose is fulfilled

It's time for you to return.

When I hear the phone ring

I expect to hear you say,

"Alright Mom? What're you doing,

Can I come 'round today?"

But you don't need to ask now,

You're with us every day,

Within our hearts, our minds, our souls,

Your memory will stay.

No fear, no pain or sorrow,

Can touch you anymore

But the love you've left behind,

Will live with us forever more.

~ Poem (c)Jan Andersen

01 November 2002~