A Poem for Allie

You came as Spring flowers were starting to bloom,

Not yet April, frost still on the grass;

A suitcase in hand, you were searching for room

Where you could blossom, planted at last.

 

The first two years of your life had been

A challenge in so many ways,

With some complications and many unknowns —

Then the loss of a loved one, the end of his days.

 

Papa Jimmy had chosen to make you his girl;

Adopted, you filled the home that he shared

With dear, sweet Bunny — with whom you twirled,

As she taught you to dance — yes, even when scared.

 

On that morning at breakfast when your Papa fell

And the ambulance came to take him away,

Somehow you knew, the details you’d tell

When you came to our house to stay.

 

You’d often recall how you’d seen him go,

Saying, “He’s now in Heaven. He’s safe with God.”

Not even three, you seemed to know,

And at first this seemed rather odd.

 

But as the days with you passed quickly by,

Over time we came to learn

You had a good memory, a very keen eye,

And we learned more about you at every turn.

 

Despite your losses, despite the pain

You’re most often happy, bubbling over with joy;

You dance in sunshine, you dance in the rain,

Friends are your favorite — whether girl or a boy.

 

And oh how you love both cats and dogs,

Horses and goats and chickens too;

So much to learn, many questions you ask,

Like “Why is it brown? Why can’t it be blue?”

 

“A blue kitten?” Oh, Allie — you make me smile!

What joy you bring to our family, our home;

We’d travel the world, walk many a mile

If you were lost just to bring you back Home.

 

You belong with us now, our darling — our dear,

You color the world — you’re a fine piece of art;

Our daughter you are — about that, do not fear,

Though not of my womb, you were born in my heart.