Opening the white leather photobook

brings back a wave of memories 

tucked away in the corners of my mind.

Each polaroid picture is embedded with lifelong memories.

Some more recent,

while some are from many years ago.

Yet they all hold value to me.

The first image is of Bailey,

my yellow lab when he was just a puppy.

He still had those big brown eyes

and the red collar that he wore proudly. 

His gentle soul and warm touch 

welcomed everyone into his life.

His patience and tenderness was what made him special.

Everybody loved the sweet boy

named Bailey.

Flipping a couple pages,

I find the smiling faces of Destiny and Devon,

my two favorite cousins.

Destiny was the first person

whom I could call a true friend.

She was always there to listen when I needed her,

and she accepted me for who I was.

I practically grew up in her shadow,

hoping that I could someday be like her.

This ended before I knew it

as our lives began to take different turns,

and soon she fell deep into addiction.

Once we began to drift apart,

I found refuge in her older brother, Devon.

We bonded over our love for basketball 

and our competitive nature.

The reason Devon and I connect is because I see 

parts of Destiny 

within him.

Destiny,

I’m sorry for what happened and I wish

I could’ve said goodbye.

The next couple pages are filled with many pictures

of my best friend, Sophie.

Although we do not get the chance to see each other often,

I always make sure to get a polaroid when we do.

When together,

we wander the trails of the Northwoods,

bathe in the summer sun,

or eat sushi from the local market in Minocqua.

Her gentle persona touches each photo,

along with her perfect smile

and emerald green eyes.

And even in my darkest hours,

she was the light that guided me through.

Sophie,

thank you for everything.

I don’t know where I’d be without you.

As I reach the last photo,

I again see Bailey.

Except he is much older now,

and has outgrown his younger years.

That doesn't change how I see him, though,

because in my eyes

he will forever be my puppy.

On April 1st 2023,

the day this photo was taken, 

I said my final goodbye.

The picture displays the pink petaled flowers

that I bought for his last day

as he forever lies peacefully within the earth

and within my heart.

Bailey,

thank you for the memories,

and know that I will always love you.