Sitting alone in the dreary room
Waiting as time crawled sluggishly along
for news; good or bad
The unpleasant smell of sickness and medicines
Forced my mind to flee
Sounds of my own laughter rang in my ears
As memories forced my face into a glowing grin
Soap bubbles clung softly to my baby skin
Their strawberry scent sneaking up to tickle my nose
My grandma, now younger, stronger, healthier
Lifts me up
The water rolls down my body, trickling back into the bubbles
with a soft, soothing fizz
Now wrapped in a fuzzy towel
Her arms embraced me in a loving hug as she led me
to her large, comforting bed
I giggled in pure delight when she removed the small, white can
from her pink, flowered housecoat
White powder floated up once it was opened
filling the air and our noses with the sweet, light scent
Smiling, she gently patted my slightly wet skin
With the powerful powder puff
Until I was coated with white, snow-like flakes
Dressed and once again embraced
I was allowed to skip and play
go on my merry way
Voices broke the rolling film of memories
Once more I return to the harshness of reality
Rising to my feet I walk through the dreadful halls
Into the hospital room filled with illness
Older and more appreciative, I make my way to her
Embracing her fragile body
With the love she’d given me
So many times in years before
During my after-bath powders.