Tears cascading down his heart-shaped face…
His eyes stinging
His heart aching
His mind... blank.

Until it all comes back...

He remembers
when they were kids… foolish and young,
racing to the oak-wood swing set
to see who would get the first turn down the slithery silver slide.
Passing each other crumpled notes during class
and smiling at each other when the teacher yelled to stop.

He remembers
their first kiss in the rain on her front porch steps
and driving home with a permanent smile attached to his face.
The first time he said he loved her
and the feeling of pure joy when she said it back.

He remembers
getting down on one knee at the old oak-wood swing set
and asking for her hand in marriage.
The blue jays singing in mid-june as the big day began.
Pulling away her lace veil to unravel her warm brown eyes looking lovingly into his.

He remembers
raising their two children both with laugh’s that mimicked her own.
And sending them off to college as they both cried.

He remembers
growing old with her only to love more about her each and every day.

He remembers
the disdain in the doctor’s voice saying she doesn’t have much time.

He remembers
placing ruby red roses on her tombstone.
And visiting the old oak-wood swing set one last time.


Only to have no more memories...