What a great poem. I can relate about the part of having to tell dad many times what his new medicine is for and when to take it. I write down on a posty note when to take it and leave it next to the pill bottle. Once he gets use to taking it he does fine. I call in his medicine monthly so I know if he's taking it like he should. In this time of a persons life it is torn into a thousand directions. You need to know their safe, that their doing ok on their own if they live alone like my dad. There are times when dad is doing really good. He has taking an interest in getting one of his old cars up and running and he did it. I'm not all that happy about him driving the old car cause it has sit for 4 or 5 years without even being started the whole time. He had it towed and had the gas tank emptied and a little work done on it but I wonder about the tires and any leaks from sitting all that time. I think to myself that he must have an angel riding with him in that car, keeping it going just for him. I cannot tell you how many times my heart is pounding in my chest when I drive over to dads to get him his breakfast. I walk up the steps and look for the kitchen light to be on, if it wasn't on I'd walked over to his bedroom window, knock on it to see if he's awake. Many times I fear he'll go sometime in the night in his sleep. In away I know he will be better off but the loss will be greatly felt heavy in my heart. Thank you for sharing your poem

http://www.poemsource.com/anniversary-poems.html

Here are a few that I gathered following my mother's passing: Afterglow Author Unknown I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one. I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. I'd like to leave an echo, whispering down the way, of happy times, and laughing times, of bright and sunny days. I'd like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun, with happy memories that I leave, when life is done. ----------------------------------- Fill not your hearts with pain and sorrow but remember me in every tomorrow Remember the joy, the laughter, and the smiles I've only gone to rest for a little while Although my leaving causes pain and grief my going has eased my hurt and given me relief So dry your eyes and remember me not as I am now, but as I used to be Because, I will remember you all and look on with a smile Understand, in your hearts I've only gone to rest a little while As long as I have the love of each of you I can live my life in the hearts of all of you ------------------------------ Miss me but let me go When I come to the end of the road And the sun has set for me I want no rites in a gloom-filled room. Why cry for a soul set free? Miss me a little--but not too long And not with your head bowed low. Remember the love that we once shared, Miss me--but let me go. For this is a journey that we all must take And each must go alone. It's all a part of the Master's plan, A step on the road to home. When you are lonely and sick of heart Go to the friends we know And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds. Miss Me--But Let me Go! ---------------------------- Those we love don't go away, They walk beside us everyday, Unseen, unheard, but always near, Still loved, still missed, so very dear.

another vote for prose. Poor prose! Such a lovely way to say so many truly wonderful things, and yet so many people reject it, in favor of poems, which are restricted to meter and rhyme! Not that meter and rhyme are bad, but theyr'e very restricting. And Duckyhead, did you REALLY say "special day"? Eww, yuck! I tell you, I'm tired of adjectives: special, wonderful, etc. How many people does she have? Maybe just write a note to each of them: "Frank & Joan--I'm so glad you could come be with us. I know it was a long trip, and I'm flattered you would travel that far for us." Or, "Susan: here's that great cheese I was telling you about--sorry I can't stop by the hotel, but we've got to grab a few minutes, just you and me. Come to the church early?" or whatever is appropriate, even if it's just, "we're glad you could come, and we hope you're comfortable in the hotel."