I WILL MISS YOU MORE

It was their special way to say goodnight…he’s not sure when it started

or how they began to use it whenever they departed…

When he was young at bedtime she’d lean down and kiss his forehead…

as she had done the night before

“I will miss you while I’m sleeping.” he’d say

then she would whisper… “But I will miss you more”.

It’s funny how a little thing like that…a little thing you hear or see

when done with so much love…imprints in your memory.

Even as a teenager when sons and mothers sometimes fight

all would be forgotten when she came to say goodnight

When she leaned down to kiss his forehead…

as she had done the night before

When he said, “I will miss you while I’m sleeping.”

and she’d whisper… “But I will miss you more.”

Even when he grew up and left the house… even the older he became

after every visit together their message was the same:

She would kiss him on his forehead as they stood by her front door

“I will miss you while I am away.” he’d say.

Then she would whisper… “But I will miss you more.”

Then came the day no parent and child wants…

a day with tears filling up his eyes

when he sat beside her on her bed…

when he came to say goodbye…

He took her frail hand in his and they sat in silence for a while.

She opened her eyes and for a moment between them passed a smile…

Then he leaned over and kissed her forehead…

as she had done so many times before….

“I will miss you while I’m sleeping.” she said

and he whispered… “But I will miss you more.”