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<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Deb and Thomas “Letters” for
Kadian’s Memorial Celebration<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<table class="MsoTableGrid" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="558" style="width:558.25pt;border-collapse:collapse;border:none;mso-border-alt:
solid windowtext .5pt;mso-yfti-tbllook:1184;mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-irow:0;mso-yfti-firstrow:yes">
<td width="213" valign="top" style="width:212.9pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Deb <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
<td width="345" valign="top" style="width:345.35pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
border-left:none;mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-alt:
solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Thomas <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow:1">
<td width="213" valign="top" style="width:212.9pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;
padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">We
decided to walk to <span class="SpellE">Hawkley</span> today.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I fall behind as I usually do, and
imagined you fell back with me . . . as you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:
normal">always</i> did.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">We
start up Shoulder Mutton for the Poet’s Stone and I want to reach for your outstretched
hand.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was always there, helping
me with my appalling balance. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">You should
be here now, on the ground, chewing rye grass, stroking Duke as he gently paws
you. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td width="345" valign="top" style="width:345.35pt;border-top:none;border-left:
none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;
mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">I miss
your face<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Your
smiley face<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Your
chiseled chin<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">I miss
your left hand holding<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Pointy
elbow right<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Lucida Grande";
color:#333333;background:white">Spooning sugary cereal to your mouth</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow:2;height:170.5pt">
<td width="213" valign="top" style="width:212.9pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;
padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:170.5pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">I had
tea with our <span class="SpellE">neighbour</span> Susie. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I remembered you stopped by her house
to borrow an egg two weeks ago.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>That’s when you were real –when you baked things like Apple Pie
and Chocolate Muffins. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">And
now, I sit, feeling strangely <span class="GramE">pretend</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td width="345" valign="top" style="width:345.35pt;border-top:none;border-left:
none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;
mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:170.5pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">I miss
your deep brown thick hair<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">You
flick across your brow<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Once,
twice, out of your eyes<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Oh your
eyes<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">How I
miss these too<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Blue
grey<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Color
changing<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Keen
welcoming<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Eager
for stare competition <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Hungry
to see the world<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow:3;height:139.0pt">
<td width="213" valign="top" style="width:212.9pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;
padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:139.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="GramE"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Calibri">. .</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Calibri"> .<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I see
this . . . your happy face, riding by Sam and I on our morning walk to <span class="SpellE">Dunhurst</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>You’d pedal by, dressed in your wool pea coat, backpack strapped over
your shoulders, <span class="GramE">yell</span> “love you” and disappear into
the wind. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td width="345" valign="top" style="width:345.35pt;border-top:none;border-left:
none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;
mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:139.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">You
loved to weird us out<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Rolling
your eyes back<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Whites
showing<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Or
cross them to a point<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">“Please
stop that” we’d say<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Now I
think <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Please
don’t<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow:4">
<td width="213" valign="top" style="width:212.9pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;
padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">I mowed the lawn today. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">The last time you cut it <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span class="GramE"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">you</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"> insisted
on leaving<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span class="GramE"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">a</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"> circled
patch of something<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span class="GramE"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">that</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"> was clearly
a grass threat<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">But now that patch of grass<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span class="GramE"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">has</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">
flowered into tiny <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span class="GramE"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">thick</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">
yellow petals<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span class="GramE"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">and</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"> a
village of Bumblebees<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span class="GramE"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">and</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"> I’m
afraid of what I’ll miss<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span class="GramE"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">without</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"> your
magic touch<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td width="345" valign="top" style="width:345.35pt;border-top:none;border-left:
none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;
mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">I miss
your hands<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Your
giving, helping hands<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Flying
over the keyboard<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Rolling
out the dough<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Pushing
the mower up the hill<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Making
good luck cards for your sister<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Bringing
me the perfect café latte<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow:5">
<td width="213" valign="top" style="width:212.9pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;
padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">I couldn’t
wait to get home from work.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’d see
your head in the window, you peaking out, <span class="GramE">whispering</span>
“<span class="SpellE">mumma</span>”.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>I’d try to hide my pleasure that you were up past your bedtime, come
tuck you in, and we’d go through the ritual of our special kiss – left
cheek . . . right cheek . . . nose . . . forehead . . . chin. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You never outgrew it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You’d pat your bed and say come lay
down with me, and I’d say “you need to sleep”, you’d pat it again and say “please”
and we’d lay, our heads together and you’d say “tell me bout your day.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td width="345" valign="top" style="width:345.35pt;border-top:none;border-left:
none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;
mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">I miss
the small freckle<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">On your
left hand’s second finger<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Hidden
inside<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Just like
your sisters<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">I miss
your feet<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Narrow
strong<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Carrying
you<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="SpellE"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Calibri">Unshoed</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Calibri"> across paths many<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow:6">
<td width="213" valign="top" style="width:212.9pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;
padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Do you
remember that family camping trip with the prehistoric green bug?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We were on the banks of the Shenandoah.
The trees were blanketed with fireflies and sparkled like fairy lights. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Sam woke,
screaming.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A fist size insect had
<span style="color:black;mso-themecolor:text1">crawled</span><u><span style="color:red"> </span></u>over her. She refused to go back to sleep. Without
being asked, you grabbed a lantern, took her hand, reassured her and led her
to your tent. Ten minutes later we heard you both laughing as you cast animal
shapes into shadows. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td width="345" valign="top" style="width:345.35pt;border-top:none;border-left:
none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;
mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">I miss
your long legs<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Often
crossed<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">At
table <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">In bed <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">On
couch<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Skinny
yet powerful <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Skiing
hiking cycling<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">I miss
your slender waste<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Trousers
slipping down<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Exposing
boxers<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Thick
striped<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">I miss
your acrobatic lips<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Forming
comic shapes<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Making
us laughter howl<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow:7">
<td width="213" valign="top" style="width:212.9pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;
padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">This
week one of your primary school classmates wrote to us.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She said <span style="color:black;
mso-themecolor:text1">that </span>all she had to do was ask you for your best
<span class="SpellE">Pokeman</span> cards and you would give them to her.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She said you did it because it made
you happier than keeping them and that it is something she would always
remember. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td width="345" valign="top" style="width:345.35pt;border-top:none;border-left:
none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;
mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">I miss
your body moves<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Head
bobbly round and round<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">As if
detached<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Arms
shaking from shoulders<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Like
two thick ropes aquiver<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Legs
folded lotus-style<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Walking
on knees<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">“Look
at me dad”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">You’d
say<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">“Look
at me”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow:8">
<td width="213" valign="top" style="width:212.9pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;
padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri;
color:black;mso-themecolor:text1">Alice wrote today, saying that you were such
a bright, sweet kid. She remembers when she gave you a present of colourful
paper and you immediately fashioned a piece into a thank you note for her. She
kept this paper, as a treasure. Said you <span class="GramE">was</span> so
considerate that way – always in tune with other people, always so
generous. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td width="345" valign="top" style="width:345.35pt;border-top:none;border-left:
none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;
mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">I miss
the peach fuzz<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Growing
beneath your nose<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Sign of
manhood approaching<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Your
adolescent smell<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Masked
by powerful deodorant<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">I miss
the crown of your head<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">So
close to mine<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">“I’m
going to looking down<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>At your bald spots, dad”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">But now<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Never
inching higher<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow:9">
<td width="213" valign="top" style="width:212.9pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;
padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">I saved
a card you mailed to me one day.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It
was random.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You were ten.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And you used your very special Dolphin
stationery.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No special occasion.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It read, “I am sorry this took so long
to get to you but I’ve been forgetting to find time in your day to go running
with me and Duke.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You give me
100% attention to my train and make me delicious breakfast all the while
working.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Only a perfect mother
could do that.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span class="SpellE">Kads</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td width="345" valign="top" style="width:345.35pt;border-top:none;border-left:
none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;
mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">I miss
your nobly knees<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Crashing
into my belly<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">“Time
to wake up my dads”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">I miss
your gorgeous ears<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Long
pierced <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">No
longer adorned<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Unable
to hear high frequencies<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Yet
highly attuned <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">To
song, emotion, mirth<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow:10">
<td width="213" valign="top" style="width:212.9pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;
padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">And
this hand made card from you as well.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“Dear Mum, I hope you have a wonderful 46<sup>th</sup> year.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Thanks so much for being my loving
Super Pooch for 11 ½ years.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>And don’t tell the others but I will be on your side in Paint Ball.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Once again, have a wonderful day and
may all your wishes come true.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Love Kadian<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td width="345" valign="top" style="width:345.35pt;border-top:none;border-left:
none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;
mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">I miss
your tears<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">For
happy endings<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">At sad
stories<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">In your
own anger<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Consolas;
mso-bidi-font-family:Consolas">I miss your many voices<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Consolas;
mso-bidi-font-family:Consolas">Not yet unsung<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Consolas;
mso-bidi-font-family:Consolas">But unsung</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Calibri"> Most of all<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">I miss
your body against mine<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">In
standing cuddle<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Or
couch embrace<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Relaxed
secure<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Together<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">As if nothing
would ever change<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="GramE"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">end</span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Calibri"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow:11;mso-yfti-lastrow:yes">
<td width="213" valign="top" style="width:212.9pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;
padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri;
color:red"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri;
color:black;mso-themecolor:text1">My last goodbye before you <span class="GramE">left ….</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Calibri;color:red"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">I
rumpled that lovely thick brown hair of yours and we share the ritual word
exchange you started when you were four – <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">“Best
Mother in the World” you say.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“Best Son in the World” I say.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>And rather than our ritual good night kiss . . . left cheek, right
cheek, nose, forehead, chin, I kiss your forehead as I am not tucking you
in.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="GramE"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri">end</span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Calibri"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td width="345" valign="top" style="width:345.35pt;border-top:none;border-left:
none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;
mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>