remembering a soldier

last week we took some time,
to remember {with our neighbors and community}
a soldier who died.

while we packed our juice boxes & snacks,
and climbed into our minivan-
the soldiers family climbed into a
black funeral car.



while took our flags,
and planted them into the curbside grass-
the soldiers family decided on the
inscription of his epitaph in the cemetary lawn.

while we dressed in our 4th of july clothes,
and put bows in our hair,
the soldiers family decided what he would wear in burial.



while we waited with juice boxes,
in the bright sunshine,
the soldiers family waited for the plane
to arrive with his remains.



while we talked about noble things-
what it means to: "die for our country",
the soldiers family remembered
the little things that made him their son.



while we left with our hearts reminded-
of this vibrant young man's sacrifice,
{and that of many, many, many others}
the soldiers family will live forever,
with his memories.