Remembering

I remember our first kiss. Rain pattered on the leaves overhead, the
leaves that kept us dry. The sky was pink. There were fireflies.

I remember the skull I found on the side of the mountain. I don't
remember the plane crash. I remember the hand and the wedding ring.

I remember my mother slammed the door and the glass cracked.

I remember my mother holding me. Her breasts were soft and she smelled nice.

I remember my father had to kill the cat because it was sick.

I remember when my father found the large beaver on the side of the
road and took it to the taxidermist. We had that thing for years.

I remember basic training. A bird pooped on the drill instructor's hat.

I remember saying good by, and saying good bye, and saying good bye.
I don't remember saing hello.

I remember the vodka in Tajikistan.

I remember finding out she wasn't pregnant.

I remember she said it was over - "I want a divorce"

I remember the puppies in Iraq. And the fire. Lots and lots of smoke.

I remember the men praying. They prayed a lot. They made me tea and
welcomed me even though I forced them to work all day. They were good
men. Poor, but good.

I remember her getting drunk in Korea and needing to be escorted home.
I remember feeling like a good man when I walked away even though she
didn't want me to.

I remember the stars. I remember blowing smoke up at them and they didn't mind.

I remember meeting John Popper. He's a huge man with a good heart.

I remember my baby girl crawling around the house just to be in the
same room with me. I remember leaving her to join the military.
She's a woman now.

I remember that she drove two hours out of her way to have five
minutes with me. I felt special.

I remember making waffles with my sons.

I remember helping the nurse change the diaper on my son because he
was sick and needed help. I remember wondering if he would live. I
remembered cutting his cord when he first arrived to earth. I
remember when he changed his last name. I remember that I love him
anyway.

I remember the dog in the ditch and nursing it back to health.

I remember her red hair

her brown hair

her blonde hair.

I remember the looks in their eyes.

I remember a whole lot more.