Happy Anniversary

Happy anniversary Lefty—it's been one year since you died. It's been a year since we buried you under the new maple tree, and then the winter came and buried you again in all that snow. Dang, though, how the flowers bloomed there in the spring. This summer was hot—you would've hated it. I would've had to finally get you that haircut everyone was always asking about. I never did touch your hair, though. It was too perfect the way it was. Au naturale was how you rolled.

Your brother Duke moved in 4 blocks away. You could've partied together daily! But your buddy Riley, he died in the spring. Both of you gone too soon.

I miss going skating with you. I miss using you as a footrest. I miss catching all the love beams you were always sending my way—always watching me, constantly keeping your eye on things, forever making sure I was safe and more importantly that I wasn't gonna leave you behind. I'm not going anywhere, boy, I'm right here.

Lefty at the river. 

Lefty at the fire lookout. 

Lefty at the skatepark. 

Lefty at the desert lake.

 Lefty and me forever.