day 226: minus one

Forever ago I walked along the canals
and saw the sandcrabs running as fast as their tasty little legs would carry them.

Learning backgammon and whistling with fingers shoved in our mouths,
and holding hands with cousins who loved me.

Still do.  Even though one is gone now.  To breast cancer.

Sand. And gritty towels hung on weather-beaten railings
as we stretched out on the bed and listened to music.

Warm.  Brown skin.  Good food.  Stilted houses.  Outside showers. 

Did I mention love?

11 comments

Robin | April 2, 2010 at 1:04 AM

I'm sorry for the missing part.

Connie | April 2, 2010 at 6:58 AM

The missing part evokes many memories - with more to come! Thank heaven for Easter! What a plan!

Heather of the EO | April 2, 2010 at 8:08 AM

This is just lovely.

Happy Easter, friend.

Kazzy | April 2, 2010 at 8:11 AM

I am planning on an Eastery post this weekend, but my mind was turned to thoughts of death and then new life as I thought about this post.

Happy Easter to all my blog friends, in advance.

Candy Eash | April 2, 2010 at 8:28 AM

Sorry about your cousin. Easter is a good time to remember those who are gone - and will be coming back.
Happy Easter. :)

Luann | April 2, 2010 at 8:28 AM

This is beautiful.

I was recently thinking about your cousin. I never met her, but tears still came. For her and for you.

Kazzy | April 2, 2010 at 10:01 AM

It's been years. She died a month after I was put in as RS pres. Formative experience for me. Obviously. :)

wendy | April 2, 2010 at 8:25 PM

Those sound like some lovely memories.
and that is sad...that one is gone now, due to Breast Cancer.
Oh how I wish they would find a cure.

My best friend here has had a double masectomy

gigi | April 3, 2010 at 7:32 AM

Brought back many a memory for me too.

Lola Sharp | April 4, 2010 at 5:54 PM

I'm catching up on your posts, so I'm sorry for all the backlog comments. But I don't like missing any posts, and I want you to know I read them all, because I do.

This is a powerful post. Poetic.
The imagery is perfect and powerful.
You manage to say so much with so few words. (Hemingway would be PROUD!) (He would hate me.)

Thank you for sharing this lovely post with us. I'm sorry for your loss.

Love,
Lola

Melanie Jacobson | April 5, 2010 at 12:12 AM

A beautifully captured moment.