We swam together. You always worried me when you’d dive. You stayed down so long that I couldn’t help but worry even though I knew you would swim up as soon as you found the rock you were after. You loved the snow; it always reminds me of you. I remember a time that you pushed Bobby out of the way, and layed on top of me to protect me from his tickling. You pulled me away from the street when you were as much of an infant as I was. We marched around the backyard; we layed under the apple trees in the front yard; played with bubbles that you loved so much, and romped through the snow all winter long. You played next to me while I built snow forts, and roasted marshmallows when we camped. You never left my side when I slept on the floor. You lounged in the garage in the summer while Gramps took part in his daily putzing. You never kissed a face other than your papa’s, except for the one time that you found me deserving of your love. I’ll never forget that. You kept me warm, safe, and happy. You were perfect in so many ways. My love for you is eternal, and I pray that you know it. That you felt, and feel just how much I loved having you in my life.
You were the innocence that only a child knows;
you were the strength that can only be found from those you love you lived and loved without judging, questioning, or betraying.
There were days that I thought you held on just to watch over me. You always did that; you protected me and covered me from things that could hurt me.
Your strength and variance, your understanding and genius are so much a part of who I am today that I can’t define myself without incorporating our 18 years together into my definition of self. I love you more than I could ever say, and no words can describe my need to see you walk around the corner and bark to come in. Your spot in the yard looks so barren without you, like it too is waiting for you to return.
No matter where life takes me, or what trials may come, I will always have a place for the innocence and light that you taught me to see. Even as age becomes me, time will never make me forget just how much you mean to my life.
You are my innocence, and my strength,
| Kate |