I Started Writing Seriously When

He Loves So Wholly. It Is His Nature. He Blinks, Then Tries To Find The Right Response. "i-" He Stumbles. "i'm So Afraid, June. So Afraid Of What Might Happen To-" I Put Two Fingers Against His Lips To Hush Him. "fear Makes You Stronger," I Whisper. Before I Can Stop Myself, I Put My Hands On His Face And Press My Mouth To His.

Mom Used To Say That Having Three Boys Was Kind Of Like Having A Pet Tornado That Talked Back.

When You’ve Been Poor All Your Life, You Never Really Think It Could Be Any Other Way. And Sometimes You’re Even Happy, Because At Least You’ve Got Your Family And Your Health And Your Arms And Legs And A Roof Over Your Head.

We're In This Together, Right?" He Whispers. "you And Me? You Want To Be Here, Yeah?" There's Guilt In His Questions. "yes," I Reply. "i Chose This." Day Pulls Me Close Enough For Our Noses To Touch. "i Love You.

I Can Feel His Presence Here In Every Stone He Has Touched, Every Person He Has Lifted Up, Every Street And Alley And City That He Has Changed In The Few Years Of His Life, Because He Is The Republic, He Is Our Light, And I Love You, I Love You, Until The Day We Meet Again I Will Hold You In My Heart And Protect You There, Grieving What We Never Had, Cherishing What We Did. I Wish You Were Here. I Love You, Always.