Oh, how I remember you. I remember the first time I ever saw your face – there was this particular magic that was only you! How I loved your eyes and how they would turn green or light blue depending on what you were wearing or what mood you were in… oh, my dear Sweetheart, I have always loved that about you. That was the “you” I grew to cherish.
I remember your smile and all of the expressions reflected in your face. Your cute and lovely mouth will always be treasured in my heart. The kind and gentle words you shared, along with the laughter and giggles I grew to love. I still yearn for you when I hear the songs you loved to sing. I fell for your passion for things that you believed in that you refused to suppress your support and the anger at injustice you felt compelled to voice. I remember the last words I heard from you most of all. These are cherished memories I will never forget.
I can still recall your hands in every detail. I remember the way you held them, the things you created with them, the ideas you penned, and the memories set down in time with them. But most of all, the love and care reflected as I held your hand or felt yours covering mine when life was difficult.
I remember your arms and the precious hugs I grew to love, expressing your love, caring, compassion, and sometimes appealing for understanding and so many emotions we shared. The first I imagined would be most deeply imprinted on my mind was too soon replaced by the last that became the most treasured.
I remember your walk. The sound of your footsteps was a reflection of your many moods. The light and airy ones that signaled you were on top of the world, the quick ones that announced you were busy, the slower ones that said you were reflecting on something important, and the last ones I cherish all of my life. I shall never forget.
I can close my eyes and evoke the very essence of you. I remember the special places we shared, your favorite foods, the smells that remind me of you, the unique crinkles around your eyes, the idioms that were so you. These are the words that belonged only to you, and they still whisper in my mind. I remember the thoughts and ideas you shared, the hopes and dreams and all that was a part of you being you.
I reminisce watching you grow into the person I so loved, the challenges, the sacrifices, and toil as you focused on bringing your dreams to life. I recall seeing life through your eyes as you shared these things and all the emotions that brought them to life. I remember the things you loved and how special they were to me because you loved them so.
Thank God for the gift of memories that are carefully stored in my mind. For this is how I will always remember and treasure you.
John T. Catrett, III Refuge Care Hospice Chaplain (918) 352-3080