A Year Ago Today

A year ago today, I waited in quiet dread for news I didn't want to hear but was virtually certain that I would.

A year ago today, I got a text message that I didn't want to get, and then another saying exactly the same thing, thereby breaking my heart twice.

A year ago today, I stared at his inert form, too stunned to believe that what I was looking at was real.

A year ago today, I saw his mother cradle his head in her arms and call him "my baby" and felt the urge to completely break down and cry.

A year ago today, my son lost a godfather, and I lost a soul brother.

It's been a year, and life has been kind to me for the most part, but I can't help but remember him and how a year ago today, he left us all.

I would like to believe the tears have dried up, and that I'm happy to know he's in a much better place than this world, with its tattered economy, wars, environmental rape and endless political scandals. But now that I've stopped to think about it, I realize how much I still miss him.

This one's for you, Jay.