"You Are Gone," An Elder (Nature Lover) expresses grief through a poem

Father and Daughter 

You Are Gone

You are gone.

And yet you come to me in the smiles

     and laughter of friends and family.

I hear your encouragement as I struggle with a task

     and your praise in a job well done.

You are gone.

And yet I feel your joy and passion when I stare out from a mountain top,

     smell a spruce forest or walk in snow.

Your creativity lives on in TV trays, stained glass pieces,

     Christmas trees and so much more.

You are gone.

And yet I am reminded of our cellular connection daily;

     my blue eyes, flat hair and skinny feet are undeniably you.

Reading maps, watching westerns, eating pie,

     all scream “Dad” to me.

You are gone.

And yet I find your silliness and youthful spirit every time I buy shoes

     and am compelled to do “the dance."

And even in my grief, tears, and sadness,

     I find your never-ending love and a lifetime of hugs.

You are gone, and yet…

 submitted by Elder "Nature Lover"

11-21-2018

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