8 years ago today I would have woken up 

as if it was any other day. 

Six days after my ninth birthday.

May 11, 2014.

Mother’s day.

8 years ago today I would have woken up 

as if it was any other day. 

Joined mom at the kitchen table for breakfast.

Giving her a hand made “I love my mommy” card 

with pipe cleaner flowers on it that I had made in art class.

Brunch at The Grosse Pointe Club.

Spent the afternoon with my Uncle Peter.

Riding in the back seat of his Jeep Liberty.

Farms Market pizza for dinner.

Watching Frozen in my kitchen 

while sitting at our square dining table.

8 years ago today I would have woken up 

as if it was any other day. 

But 8 years ago today I saw my parents 

come through the back door.

I was crying on my kitchen floor.

too speechless to ask what happened

paralyzed and stumbling up the stairs

fall asleep staring at the ceiling

too stunned to even cry anymore

8 years ago today I found out 

That my older brother was dead

And I would ever be the same.

Never Looking Back