Unopened Dreams

I found a present still unopened,
Left over from last year.
Bought with such anticipation
When we thought that you’d be here.

Matching Christmas jammies
For your brother and for you …
Yours still wrapped and waiting,
While his are worn right through!

Countless prayers and paperwork,
Tears shed in despair -
Hours spent in searching,
Thinking I’d find you somewhere.

Close to home or far away,
The place just didn’t matter.
It was only you we wanted,
One more voice amidst childish chatter.

But months and days just passed us by,
Our hopes lost in another year.
Unopened dreams still left behind,
When we thought that you’d be here.

-shg 12.27.07