That Last Goodbye

That last voicemail--

I should never have deleted.

What I would give now to play again.

Just to hear your voice.

Or the look on your face, when I walked in the room--

To have taken a picture 

so I could hold onto that joy.

Your laughter how it carried throughout the room,

thinking of it now brings a teary smile to my face.

The pedicures, trips to the diner, and just out for coffee--just cream.

Those moments, now only memories.

The recipes that were never written down,

And stories soon to be forgotten--

I promise to hold on to them as long as I can.

And I will never forget--

Christmas Eve, it was always your favorite.

Hor-doeuvres and holiday music...

Just that one present to open.

Your excitement almost too much to contain.

I am sorry for all the ones I wasn't there.

The missed opportunities for connection.

It's just around the corner--and I know--

You made sure I wouldn't be alone.

So many things I would have said, done--

Had I known that when I hugged you that day

It would be for the last time. 

I would have held on a bit longer,

Squeezed a bit tighter;

In that last goodbye.