Obviously, You Are Gone From Me

Death brings sadness

Obviously

Funerals bring family

Obviously

The body in the casket brings tears

Obviously

But obviously, these things happen

And there is nothing we can do to stop them

We think of death as inevitable

But sudden death is different!

Not at 51 years old

That’s too young

Not when your daughter is still in college

Not when your mother is still alive

Not when your sister, your poor, quiet sister doesn't know what she will do without her best friend

Not when Carolyn and Justine-Bustine come to visit you, days before your death

And you are unresponsive to them

Your eyes yellow

Your face dark

The cancer transformed you

And took you away within three weeks

Your death brought sadness

Your funeral brought family

Your body in the casket brought tears

All I wanted was for you to call me Justine-Bustine one more time

That’s all I wanted

And obviously, nothing is the same without you