Hard To Say Goodbye

It was Tuesday ~ December seventh
The year ~ two thousand four.
The child in diapers, I used to change ~
Was now walking out the door.

You made a good decision Kory,
I’m just so very proud.
It had to be hard to leave your Mom,
The cries of the heart were loud.

When I get to see you again,
You’ll be in dress blues, or white?
Becoming a sailor, getting a degree ~
Was the choice, for you, that was right.

I’m glad I got to see you that night ~
And have breakfast the following morn.
Just three hours after you left,
Your mom and I did mourn.

It was hard to say goodbye,
To you and Wilma that day.
As we walked towards her casket ~
I could only pray.

For God to keep you safe,
And healing for Wilma at last.
For your mom to hold onto memories,
Until this Christmas has passed.

I’ll be home for Christmas,
If only in my dreams.
Not that it really matters.
As nothing is right it seems.