When your parents pass, everything they were becomes magnified by the loss. All the little things that once meant nothing become weights on your soul.

I don’t remember my father’s favorite color, and it bothered me. It was an ongoing thorn. Hopefully, like an oyster making a pearl from irritation, something beautiful can come from the pain of the soul.

This poem is for my kids when I’m gone, just in case they can’t remember.

My Favorite Color is Blue

Words on the page
Before there were none
And then suddenly you came
You appeared

My favorite color is Blue
And now two years later
I’m not sure what yours was

I must have known
And I feel like I asked

It doesn’t mean
That I loved you any less

But I just wanted to share
In case you should wonder
And I know that you always loved me

So if it causes you pain
I don’t want you to fret

Just a small reminder

When I’m gone
In case you don’t remember
I’m not really gone
I’m just around the corner

I had to go so you could grow
There were unknown spaces
You couldn’t explore
While Dad’s still around

This is the way
It has always been done

So you have to face
This long walk
This final level
This final boss
Without me by your side

But I’m here in your heart
On your mind

The thoughts you think
Are parts of me
I hope you take the best

And can feel that love
That I poured
My hourglass of time
I would have given you it all

Just to make you laugh
For one more hug
For just one more smile

So think of me
Fondly
Like I think of my parents
With gentleness and reverie
With silliness and cheer

I have always loved
And I always will