I was well enough (finally) to go up and visit family.
Everyone was spread out across the farm.
A series of vignettes…
My niece busy in the kitchen.
There were long hugs.
Bengals game on the TVs and radio.
A moment in my sister’s room with my nephew.
Her ashes in a vessel, robin’s egg blue, ready for adventures.
Mom’s cat Shadow, playful on the bed.
A huge pile of leaves.
A bonfire out back.
A bucket of apples to feed the pigs.
Sifting through boxes of snapshots with my brother and great nephew in the living room.
“That’s your Gigi.” we’d say to him, pointing to photos of my sister through the years.
He patiently listened to every story we shared.
Then he ran around with the energy of ten suns.
The Bengals game got spicy.
“DAGNABBIT!” I’d shout to cover slipping curses.
My great niece emerges in a purple hoodie and peace signs.
Philly cheesesteaks with homemade mac & cheese.
(The Bengals lost.)
But my sister was there rooting in spirit.
More long hugs.
I drove home listening to a mix of music I made for Robin way back in the day.
A container of leftovers.
And a box with a vessel, robin’s egg blue.
Where do we go from here Sis?