By Angela Christy Hayes

I woke up this morning drowning in a puddle of tears.
Was it a bad dream?
Are you really gone?
You were supposed to teach me to drive.
We were supposed to go on a college road trip.
You were going to walk me down the aisle.
The puddle of tears on my pillow tell me you’re really gone,
But that can’t be.
You had so much more to teach me.
So much more advice to give me.
More love to shower me with.

I woke up this morning drowning in a puddle of tears.
Is this a dream?
Are you really leaving?
The nights will be so much colder.
You are my protector from the sounds of the night.
You’re the voice of reason.
The puddle of tears on my pillow tell me you’re really leaving.
I know it’s your job to protect this great country.
Remember, we have so much more love to share,
So many more memories to make.
You promised we would grow old together.

I woke up this morning drowning in a puddle of tears.
Has the time really come?
He grew up so fast.
No more snuggles,
No more hurts to fix.
No more “mom can my buddies stay for dinner?”
The puddle of tears on my pillow tell me he’s ready to fly.
He will always be my baby.
He has his grandpa’s crooked smile,
His dad’s love for this country.
I wish he could have known the two greatest heroes I ever knew.