I remember it like it was just yesterday;
The pain never seems to fully fade away.
I said goodnight and “I love you too.”
Those were my last words to my Abu.
I went upstairs and got into bed,
Not knowing what I would be faced with ahead.
Early two mornings later I woke up from my sleep;
As I passed through the hallway, I heard my stepmom weep.
Standing in the corridor, completely perplexed;
As my brother walked out, we had no clue what was next.
Running down the stairs as quick as we could,
My stepmom delivered the news; I wished she had misunderstood.
I dropped to the ground and began to cry;
I never even got to tell her goodbye.
I wondered and thought why she was taken away,
I will never in my life forget that day.
My dad arrived home; tears welled up in his eyes;
No one wanted to face the fact that she had really died.
In the car ride to the hospital, there were pouring tears.
Why did she have to be sick for all of those years?
I’ll never forget the moment I saw her pale and cold face,
Looking at her, she still had such grace.
My grandfather threw himself on her as the tears began;
This is what guilt does to a man.
At the wake I couldn’t help it, the tears started to pour;
As I realized she wouldn’t be here anymore.
None of my younger cousins truly understood,
But I wondered why God had taken someone so good.
I remember the very last time I saw my grandmothers face,
It was freezing out at that place.
I couldn’t control myself, I cried more and more;
My Abu was someone I completely adored.
I closed my eyes and said my final farewell;
I tried my best not to dwell.
I walked away from my grandmother that day,
And every night I would pray.
Three years later I still get upset,
But my Abu, you, I will never forget.