This Year, Lucy, on your Birthday...

Dear Lucy,How can this be your 2nd birthday we celebrate in memory of you?!! This year, Lucy on your birthday we will miss your sweet delightOf grateful appreciation for a card that is just rightWe will miss your breathless questions leaving no time to replyAs you pause to exclaim over something that has caught your eye 'Love your skirt, your purse, your jacket; where did you buy it?!! how much?!!Love your hair, the way you wear it, love your scarf, dress, shoes and suchCome sit down! would you like coffee or tea?? and a fresh-baked 'yum'?WOW! Time flies I can't believe how faster birthdays seem to come!!' This year, Lucy, on your birthday both tears and laughter will spillIn the tender recollection of scenes ceased against our will Longing for your lovely/lively presence to grace the room like a breezeAs we trace the treasured essence of echoes and memories This year, Lucy, on your birthday we will wonder *how/where you areHow yesteryears and forever feel so very near and farTugging us in two directions; what will be and what has beenClose enough to hug and kiss you but for farewell's void between This year, Lucy, on your birthday only memories must doAs we yearningly remember and relive moments with you And with reverent appraisal ponder opportunityBefore we too join the ranks of 'Happy Birthday-used-to-be' This year, Lucy, on your birthday we will thank the Lord aboveFor the beauty of the blessing of your lifetime and your love For God knows how much we miss you and He comforts longing's painWith the hope and joy of knowing someday we will meet again This year Lucy, on your birthday, we will kind and humbly prayFor the treasure in the measure of the gift we call todayAnd the pleasure of thought-pictures that no hand of time can stealWhile a pang soft-rends heart-sutures Time can never fully heal... Janet Martin Dear Lucy,Love fills holes loss leaves behindlove always,your sis *