Family

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I Looked Away and You Were Gone

Until now, sitting on my balcony in the early evening with a cold drink, the sun setting across the bay was the reward I gave myself to end the day.

I can’t count the times Paige sat here with me watching the boats, as she went on and on, with this story or that. Little girls almost never run out of words.

On a night like this, about six months ago, she sat in that chair over there; her feet propped on the railing, and announced, “I’ve joined the Navy, Grandma.”

I must have looked away for a moment, while she was growing up. Only yesterday, we’d played on the grass under those palm trees by the bay.

I Looked Away and You Were Gone

Until now, sitting on my balcony in the early evening with a cold drink, the sun setting across the bay was the reward I gave myself to end the day.

I can’t count the times Andrea sat here with me watching the boats, as she went on and on, with this story or that. You know how little girls are, they almost never run out of words.

On a night like this, about six months ago, she sat in that chair over there; her feet propped on the railing, and announced, “I’ve joined the Navy, Grandma.”

I must have looked away for a moment while she was growing up. Only yesterday, we played on the grass under those palm trees by the bay, and talked about funny animals.

Last night when I looked across the water I saw skyscrapers along the skyline. Now, in one swift moment, I can see clear to the Persian Gulf.

Oh Dear God, keep her safe in Your arms.

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