My Daniel

Just like my every day routine,

I get back from work and I think about you.

I miss you so much, I want you to come home!

What's happening there? I don't have a clue.

I wait.

Then, one very anticipated day,

There's a knock on my front door.

I open it and cry with delight,

Because you have finally come home from war.

I missed my Daniel.

It's been a painful time without you, my love.

I've waited so long for your safe return.

I worried about you every day you were gone,

I'm so glad you hadn't been hurt!

I am happy.

We live on together, a life of our own,

Until you tell me you're going back.

You hug me and say it'll be alright,

But I can feel everything going black.

I am scared.

I still talk to you over the phone.

I want to know that you're still okay.

I tell you I'm being strong for you.

But I cry for you every day.

I miss you.

We haven't spoken in almost a week,

But I have some news I think you'll enjoy!

I can't wait to tell you the results of the test that I took.

I hope it turns out to be a boy!

I'll name him after you.

It's been so long since our last call...

I'm starting to get scared, my love.

But then, one day, there's a knock on the door

From a man in white army gloves.

My heart stops.

I realize what's happened, but it can't be true...

I want so badly for him to be wrong!

But with sadness in his eyes, he delivers his purpose,

As he tells me my dear loved one is gone.

I cry.

The funeral begins and the burial follows,

I hear the explosion of twenty-one guns.

The flag is folded and given to me,

Amazing Grace, then it's finally done.

Nine months later.

Ten fingers, ten toes, and your blue eyes.

I name him after you because he's your boy!

Ten more fingers and ten more toes,

And another tiny little bundle of joy.

I wish you could be here.

I am smiling down at the babies I hold,

And I just know that you're here, too.

I have waited so long to hold in my arms

My last two beautiful pieces of you.

My Daniel and Danielle.