TheWRITEaddiction.com

Every single time I see this photo, I’m reminded of you.

Your hair, like the leaves, fell just so.  IT appeared to float around your shoulders in perfect auburn ringlets.  How I loved to hold you close.  You overwhelmed all of my senses (and sensibilities): the smell of strawberries and coconut, the taste of your honey flavored lip gloss, your arms wrapped around my waist,  and the flecks of sunshine I could see in your eyes. You held me tight, like my 10-year old varsity jacket, and  I could have stood like that forever, just taking it all in…

But I knew that I couldn’t.   Just like your name, you would only be here for a season.  You had chosen a different road, one full of twists and turns.  One that,  despite my longing,   would never lead you back to me.  So as winter’s chill crept down my spine, you loosened your embrace.  And with each step you took backwards, the sun in your eyes got further away.  The warmth that had been filled with fruit nectar and honey blew away with the first blast of wind, and I sat there watching until the first snowflake fell from my lashes.

There were no major storms that winter, just the occasional blanket of snow.   White. Cold.  And covering everything as far as the eye could see.  The golds, the reds and the oranges that had colored my world were hidden.  I looked for the sun in your eyes but you were too far away.   How I’d love to blame the winter, but I know I cannot.

Our time was short, but beautiful, like you, my dear Autumn.  I pray that you are well.

Mama Radford.