Katie and Bobby

When Katie was 21, she caught herself a cowboy

From down San Marcos way

Recently discharged from the army

Bobby was attending college on the GI bill

A real life team-roping, bronc-riding

White hat wearing, true blue cowboy

He won her heart the night they met

When Katie was 23, she married her beautiful cowboy

They settled down and started their life with together

Buying a small little starter house in the suburbs

Bobby still rode the circuit and

Played in a country western band

Katie loved being his one and only groupie

They only had eyes for each other

When Katie was 25, Bobby made her a mama

To a little girl they named Justine

With Katie’s blond hair and Bobby’s blue eyes

She had her daddy wrapped around her tiny fingers

Before she took her first howling breath

She became Daddy’s best friend,

Little Angel and fishing buddy

When Katie was 28, their little cowgirl was called home

T-boned by a drunk driver thirty miles south of Seguin

Justine never stood a chance

Katie’s grief came out in anger and fury

Bobby brooded and turned toward the Bible and God

Going different directions,

They lost sight of each other

When Katie was 29, she found

A new love who would hold her tight and let her rage

And he was able to help Katie heal

Katie broke Bobbie’s heart and soul

When she moved to Tennessee with her new love

Bobby moved in with his father

Finding love with an old high school flame

When Katie was 32, she had another little girl

Bobby sent two dozen roses to congratulate her

Katie did not respond

She could not forgive Bobby for what she felt was betrayal

From the forgiveness and mercy

Bobby showed to the monster who destroyed their life

Bobby and Katie never gave each other closure

When Katie was 55, she lost her true love and rock

The man who loved her through all the pain

Helping her fight her demons

Letting her grieve the way her soul needed to

Now Katie spends her days thinking

Finally realizing Bobby had it right all along

And she turned to prayer and God

After 30 years of silence,

Katie finally found forgiveness, grace, and gratitude

She sent Bobby a letter

Thanking him for being her first love

Thanking him for making her his wife

Thanking him for making her a mama

And for all the years of love and joy they shared

Asking him for forgiveness for all the hurt she caused

And she finally forgave the driver

She forgave Bobby,

She forgave God

But most importantly, she forgave herself

She will always love the cowboy

Her heart fell for on that starry San Marcos night

When she was 21.

She found peace at last.

- Julie O'Hara

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