This is a poem I wrote a few years ago when the best friend of my then 5-year old daughter died as the result of heart surgery done poorly.
Emily's Friend
When I remember Emily's friend
I think of loud and endless laughter,
sleeping over without sleeping,
pancakes on the morning after.
When I remember Emily's friend
I think of birthday cakes and candles,
fireworks and hide-and-seek,
Barbies dolls and Barbie sandals.
When I remember Emily's friend
I think of bikes with training wheels,
playing mommies with their babies,
drawing pens and Happy Meals.
When I remember Emily's friend
I think of pony tails and Cokes,
singing songs and dancing dances,
listening to knock-knock jokes.
When I remember Emily's friend
and know that they are miles apart,
I hope they always understand
that friendship lives within the heart.