I didn’t mean to leave you
in my dreams.
Yet is was dream on dream
on dream and then…
*
I woke up in the arms
of Jesus.
*
His hands touched my
cheeks like you did.
*
His eyes twinkled brown
into mine like you did
every morning.
*
He sang lullabies
that both of us know.
*
We went for walks
and talked about
how much we love you.
*
I told Him how I missed
you and yet the ache
wasn’t there like
when it was nap time.
*
He said, “Claire-bear, here
time is set aside, like when
you would play and play
and your imagination
was free and full.
Your Mommy will be
here before you can
flash a dimple.
It will be as if she
came along too.
*
Then the three of us
will rock in the chair
in the lazy afternoon
hours of the day
and dreams will come
absolutely true.”
*
Written for Hollie
for Claire’s 2nd Birthday
By Gerald Barrett
Gerald the Writer 
>Claire unexpectedly died in her sleep after a day with a fever. The autopsy revealed a rare virus only detectable through a test that is not routinely done.