You taught me as your daughter

the meaning of life,

to stop and look all around me,

to reach for the stars and

appreciate everything that life has to offer.  

You taught me as your daughter

the meaning of love,

to have compassion for others and myself,

listen, learn and understand

that every day is a gift of life.

You taught me as your daughter

the meaning of death,

to brave its storm and understand

that life is a full circle.

You taught me as your daughter

the meaning of life, love and death

and not fear them, but embrace them

and pass to my children,

your grandchildren

the circle of life, love and death.

Deborah Tornillo

Author, “36 Days Apart”