Stories

Rememberance Day

"Honey, just remember that we love you."
"Don't you ever forget what you're fighting for babe, and always remember I love you!"
"Be back in time for Christmas and I'll forgive you for leaving us for so long."
"Dude, I'm gonna miss you! Keep in touch, alright?"
"Just come back with that chip off your shoulder, a full heart, and a deeper gratitude for what you have. That's all that matters in the end."
'All that matters, remember they'll still love you for you!' I whispered to myself for the tenth time as I walked up the icy stone steps as quietly as I could, my heart thumping so loudly in my chest I was scared it would give me away. As I reached the door my courage started to waver and horrible thoughts leaked through my mental shield of loving memories.
"How could they still love you when you went away with a chance of never coming back while your siblings moved two blocks away!"
"How are you gonna tell the love of your life you've forgotten what her face looks like?"
"This Christmas is ten years to late! She's fifteen now and you've only been with her a handful of times since then!"
"He was saying that for your benefit and you know it!"
"You missed the funeral."
So I just stood there, letting the cold seep in, my mind plagued with what if's. I was only snapped out of my shocked state by the slamming of a car door, and a voice. A shocked half-whisper of my name. A voice that caused all my pent up emotions to flow out of my eyes. A voice that made me turn on my heel so fast I almost fell on the icy steps. But I needed to see them, the only person that can make a simple name sound so beautiful. My eyes landed on them, and I couldn't help but laugh as my fifteen year old daughter screamed in joy and ran straight into my arms, muttering 'I love you's' and 'your early' over and over. But still I couldn't take my eyes off of my love. Even just standing there, sobbing into their hands, their beauty could never be matched. But before I could make my way over to hug them, the door opened and I was bombarded with even more hugs, cries of shock and joy, 'I love you's', and tears driving every last doubt from my mind of them not remembering me or hating me. Instead, planting a new one to further blossom.
"This is home."
In honor of Remembrance Day, Lest We Forget our fallen, at home, and still fighting solders.