Only a few years older than I am. Passed in his sleep from heart problems. He will be missed.

I remember sitting on the floor
spelling nonsense words
and you helping pronounce them
from wooden blocks

I remember the cold flash of winter snow
and us sliding down the back hill
on an old car hood,
kerplunk! Into the creek

I remember sprawling on woven rugs
reading the Sunday comics
and watching
Lawrence Welk with you

I remember the bright tree,
the crush of cousins,
some unknown, the childrens table
and the joy of presents

I remember the strain of muscles
slinging hay bales onto the hay wagon
summers bright heat, shared work
the taste of lemonaid

I remember the smell of turned earth
the cold hard feeling of fresh potato
taken form the ground, falls harvest
the rush of cold at a bite from it

I remember the sight of you
first married, in a Navy uniform
looking foward to
the rest of your life

You will be missed