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Grateful for life,
for knowing how to love
completely.
for the gift of family,
for enduring closeness
and endearing camaraderie,
profound friendships,
those smiling eyes
deep connection,
simple moments,
belly laughs,
silly bets and dares,
miles and miles of memories,
holding hands while walking,
sunlight splashing
through trees,
the tune of rustling leaves,
susurration (I love that word),
water falling over rocks,
a distant lawnmower,
the smell of freshly cut grass,
listening to the buzz of bees,
dragonfly choppers,
suspended
reverently still
like prayer.
breathing out clouds
in the crisp morning air,
rain dribbling patterns on glass,
my finger trailing each bead.
a fire crackling and snapping,
toasty warmth.
red-tipped nose,
the softness of a blanket
and a sad-eyed bear.
curled up, immersed,
held captive by a book.
the caw-caw of hadedas,
a strident reminder
or a noisy wake-up call.
witty conversations,
benign bantering,
the sculpting of words,
scrabble games
nobody wanted to play
but that we played all day.
road trips to new places
everyone singing along 
exploration, adventure
sheer exhilaration
laced with a little fear.
breakfast at roadside cafes,
hot coffee steaming
warming hands.
sunsets and fruity cocktails,
waves lazily stroking the shore.
feet hugged by soft sand,
lashes casting shadows,
freckles popping up on skin.
staring intently into rock pools
for mysteries therein,
life, scented by salt.
dogs barking,
a new day dawning,
fragrant flowers,
trails that twist and turn,
dusk cloaked by night.
lying on the soft grass, 
gazing quietly at the moon,
stars winking cheekily. 
thoughts expanding,
in the dark theater of my mind.
roosters crowing far away
the rich smell of coffee
and freshly baked bread.
african savannah,
undulating gold,
flat-topped trees,
wild animals roaming,
horses galloping,
cantering up "the wall."
and there, moments of silence.
drums beating with our hearts.
Remembering the start.
when we climbed
"Dassies Rock"
where we dreamed.
with every breath.
with a view to forever.
Because of it,
I remain grateful,
grateful even for death.