Day 365

Ezra at school in front of the impromptu memory wall

set up yesterday on the death date of Art, his dad.

Today

was

a

beautiful day.

I am

here.

At day 365

not just standing

but rooted

grateful

and

joyful to take the next breath.

The grief is not gone.

Do not be fooled.

It will lurk within me

surface at unforgettable moments

until I draw my last breath.

But today

T-O-D-A-Y

I am

I am

grateful to Art.

Grateful for the life we had together

and

grateful

for all those people

none and unknown

close to me

and distant

mean,

empathetic,

helpful,

hurtful.

I stand here

because of all of them

because of me

because of Langston, Pallas and Ezra

It's day

365

and the

sun

feels

glorious on my face.