“ You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are grey,”
Nana would sing to me in the most soothing voice
She would always hug me when she sang it
Always made me so happy 

When I stared into her ocean blue eyes
I felt as though she was always listening even if I wasn't talking
When I held her soft, silky hands they comforted me 
When I looked at her short, thick , grey hair
it made me think of winter and how it was hot chocolate  
When I looked at her wrinkly face I saw joy, happiness, laughter, and fun

She is a veteran, a military nurse, served in the Vietnam War
It’s where she met my Papa
They both owned and worked in a bakery
Called Helene’s in Arlington Center
A landmark to many Arlingtonians.
It was my great grandparents’ bakery
It’s where I got my middle name

Every once in while they would take me and my brother to the duck pond.
She’d take our hands and say “ Let's go feed the duckies!”
I would grab the bread and run down to the pond,
Nana would always joke that I belong in the pond with the ducks.
She would say “ Sophie you’re as loud as that flock of ducks”

After the pond, they would always take us to McDonalds
I would always look forward to that happy meal
I loved the way my happy meal smelled
The taste of the fries was my favorite

Around christmas time
After we opened gifts at our house
We’d go to my grandparents’ house
And see my dad’s side of the family
Nana loved us too much
And showered us with many gifts
My cheeks would light up bright red like rudolph's red nose

Now that you are no longer with us
I cherish every moment that I remember
The times we laughed and cried
But I spend time with Papa
And we remember you together
At Christmas
At the duck pond