the memory i have of you -

memory four

we were entering sixth grade.

you were big into sports and i enjoyed watching you and learning as you went.

you especially loved baseball, so for your eleventh birthday i got you a new baseball and bat.

you hugged me and said, "it's perfect and i love it. thank you so much," i just smiled and said nothing. after all, it was my parents money not mine. but the thought was there, and i would die before i let someone think i didn't care about them.

for the rest of the day you played with your new things in our yard. my dad pitched to you and you hit every one. your hand eye coordination was good and i knew you would be a shoo in for middle school sports.

you loved my dad as much as you loved me you said, but in different ways.
yours was away in the army.

he wouldn't be home for a long time you told me. in sixth grade there were things i didn't know and even today, things i still don't know. but we were 9 and i didn't understand the military like you did, and i certainly didn't understand why your dad would choose his country over you.

so i shared my dad with you to make you happier, and you loved it, you loved us.
it was a small sacrifice to make considering the sacrifice your family went through.

and i was happy to share.

especially with you.