if every day is a gift i'd like to give this one back 
the longest drive of my life julie in the passenger 
seat and barely a word said between us we were on our 
way to visit when the phone rang still over two hours 
away two hours that felt like so much more in virtual 
silence in times like this it's a bit unnerving how 
often thoughts like, ‘maybe they made a mistake and 
they'll sort it out right away and call back to let me 
know all is well', pass through your head you keep 
checking your phone for that missed call, but nothing 
we couldn't get there fast enough, yet there was a part 
of me that thought that if i didn't show up at all then 
it couldn't become real won't you please let me give 
this one back, give this day back cuz i don't know if i 
can make good use of this gift you've give me i walked 
in the door to sympathetic looks from family and 
friends but it was the faces if my mother, brother, and 
sister that came into focus immediately what was there 
to say? are there any words that would do this 
situation justice? ‘at least it was quick and painless' 
‘it most likely happened in his sleep so he never knew 
it hit him' ‘he no longer has to deal with this 
terrible disease' none better than silence i just 
commemorated my first Father's Day without mine we have 
no traditions of remembrance on that day for those of 
ours who have passed my father loved his music and he 
will live on in mine won't you please let me give this 
one back, give this day back cuz i don't know if i can 
make good use of this gift you've give me just take it 
back, please take it back, i don't want this, please 
take it back if i have one responsibility now it's to 
take the lessons i've learned and pass them on to those 
who will listen in honor of his legacy always fight for 
what you believe is right no matter how many are 
telling you you're wrong always honor the work of those 
that came before you and always cherish the family and 
the friendships that share your laughter in the good 
times and that provide support in the bad