"Vera"

She talks to God about not wanting to turn eighty-three. She is at peace with this life she has lived, having been through enough birthdays, anniversaries, and Easters to feel like she has not missed anything. There is a child-like sweetness about her face, with its wrinkles, and soft edges around the curve of her mouth. There still lives a mischievous twinkle in the squint of her blue eyes. The space around her speaks of years of joy, sadness, peace, and the belonging to something greater than I might ever know. It speaks of great loves lost, and a long, life well lived. She leans into me, our shoulders touching gently as I sit on her hospital bed, and tells me with soft voice and ease of mind, that she has asked God for a long nap. Aleathia Drehmer 2006 Published by Poor Mojo's Almanac(k)