I Still

I still remember your favorite perfume, and just how beautiful your hair smelled.

I still remember your amazing smile and your contagious laugh, and the way you held me so tight until the thunderstorm would pass.

I still remember the crafts we made and the trips we took. The way you always encouraged my love for reading, you gave me my very first book.

I still remember how you would embarrass me when you would drop me off at the middle school dance, but I remember how my friends adored you and would have moved in if given half the chance.

I still remember the love I saw in your face when I had your first grandchild, you held her close and nuzzled her ear, I softly heard you whisper, " Hi beautiful girl, I'm your Nina I'll always be here."

I still remember the last time I heard your voice; you were busy but always made time. You said you would call me back later; you loved me and then we disconnected the line.

I still remember the phone call that told me I had lost you, my knees buckled and my heart broke, I was not ready to let you go there is no way that this is true, I just heard your voice, I had just talked to you. I screamed until I couldn't, and I cried until I was struggling to breathe. A piece of me left with you, the day you were called home, navigating this life without you has left me isolated and alone.

Your grand daughters are beautiful, they get that from you, your light shines through in every single room they walk into. They have your beautiful smile and the same contagious laugh, I always tell them how you loved them, I will never let them forget that.

I won't let your memory die, even though the years seem to always fly by, your love and kindness lives on through me and the girls we miss you and love you mom, more than anything in the world.