gathered words and memories

I remember bedtime stories

and I remember laughing

I remember trying and failing and still feeling your support.

I remember nail polish

and I remember special lunches

I remember dancing and coloring and singing on the toilet.

I remember mom&me coffees

and I remember the hammock

I remember firework-watching and dinner-times and sun-studying.

I remember Europe

and I remember Australia

I remember Korea and Mexico and the Caribbean.

I remember Church

and I remember Sunday lessons

I remember choirs and being taught by my examples of faith and catechisms.

I remember Duke

and I remember Duchess

I remember the bunny rabbit and turtles and numerous kittens.

I remember playing cards

and I remember making cards

I remember spending time and getting to know and having fun.

I remember Pike’s Peak

and I remember Yosemite

I remember Lake Amistad and the Redwoods and tea from the sun.

I remember talking

and I remember listening

I remember high’s and low’s and recalling our good deeds.

I remember being my daddy’s girl

and I remember striving to be mommy

I remember teasing Jake and protecting Michael and counting my family my besties.

I remember sacrifice

and I remember freedom

I remember happiness and outside and love.

I remember love most of all.

All of these things are past, but they are still alive in me. However I grow, and however I roam, I will never fail to keep these in my heart. However I may hurt, and however I may misunderstand, I will never fail to love our 5-person unit of friendship. However I have been, and however I will be, out-of-place or exactly-belonging, I will never fail to be myself and uphold the good I’ve been taught.