Purple is the color of strength,

the smell of flowers in vases all lined up in a row,

the sight of sunrises and sunsets that brings

the sound of quiet tears shed every so often,

the feeling of overflowing love,

and bitter sorrow,

the reminder that you are never alone,

the feeling of a hand being gently squeezed to show quiet support,

the bracelet placed on your ankle and never removed,

the knowledge that everything must come to an end,

and that it’s true;

the good truly do go young.

Purple is crying when a cardinal comes into the yard,

The constant reminder that something is missing in the universe

The memories that should have been made,

The denial that it's over,

The anger towards a disease that took a 4 and 11 year old

The anger towards the world, because if there is a God,

How could he take her

The begging to the universe, to please give her back, please put her back

The slippery slope of depression, easily fallen into,

The acceptance, finally, that this is what should have happened

Purple is the color of life, the color of celebration

The 16 year old girl standing in front of a crowd,

On her 16th birthday nonetheless,

Sharing her cousin’s story that must be shared,

The tears shed into the microphone,

The promise to keep her last wish,

It’s quite simple actually,

“Make sure Pierce remembers me”

Purple is the color of everything good in this world.