To Aunt Kathy

 The day I said goodbye to you,

my mind was blank.

I didn’t know how to tie a bow around

eighteen years of relationship.

Goodbyes are messy;

they can’t be packaged up

and tucked away. But now I’ve had some time

to think, and I realize that what I really wanted to say

was thank you. You always said I thanked you too much,

but please let me say it one more time.

Thank you for the trips to the zoo and aquarium.

Thank you for the shopping expeditions and the Chipotle.

Thank you for the movie nights fueled by popcorn.

And for pausing The Sound of Music a million times

to answer my questions. Thank you for the bagels,

the spinach artichoke dip, the ice cream sandwiches.

Thank you for the G.K. Chesterton quote.

Thank you for always checking the guest room bed for stink bugs.

Thank you for the blanket, the stories, and all the family dinners.

Thank you for the perspective.

Thank you for pointing out God things.

Thank you for setting me and so many others

the example of a life lived for Christ

and for your unshakable hope in a really big God.

The day I said goodbye to you,

my mind got stuck.

I forgot to tell you everything I wanted to thank you for

one more time.

I can’t wait to see you again

so I can tell you in person.