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Sweet Little Survivor

sitting indian style on the grass lake front
singing songs that i have long forgotten
a little girl joins me today wrapped in her favorite blanket
she just got out of the hospital after having her 15th surgery
she suffered third degree burns on 47% of her body
yet and still here she is a survivor and smiling, inspiring and humbling me
she asks me if i am feeling better
i reply by saying i should ask you that
she laughs and says 'things still happen to you silly'
i give her a butterscotch lollypop and watch her eyes glow widely in appreciation
we quietly appreciate the quiet and the calm that it brings
i see the tears flow from her eyes, but i say nothin to disturb her moment
i just smile and adjust the blanket that she named Linus
she rests her head on my right arm and falls asleep
it is then her mother taps me on the shoulder and says 'i think i will take her now'
with hands up, jokingly submitting, i tell her 'she still chooses you over me'
she puts her hands on her hips and says with a kiddingly accusatory smile 'i am beginning to wonder more each day'
she picks up the little girl and looks back at me and mouths an unexpected 'thank you' followed by tears
i simply nod, give her a smile of understanding, and wave goodbye
exactly two hours later, while still sleeping the little girl's little heart suddenly decided to stop
she was just two weeks into year 7
now each time when i come to sit indian style on the grass lake front,
i bring a blanket similar to Linus with me and lay it strategically on my right side
i gentle wind blows specifically where i lay said blanket, aptly named Lucy
i guess that is the little girl's way of saying hello and sitting next to me now
Remember Her I Will Always....Rest In Peace, Sweet Little Survivor....

Copyright © Marty King | Year Posted 2022

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