The quiet house, the missing kids, the absent dogs, your choice.
Where once we had a home, Now we will have houses. Bodies shuttled between. your choice.
Peals of laughter, The funny sounding bark Shared by all but gone. your choice.
The smell of family meals is gone The stains upon the stove cleaned The in-joke of smoke alarms absent. your choice.
Finances are yours, independence at hand Consuming the new needs to replace the old Goods will not be lacking (but will they fill the hole?) your choice.
The silent bed in your house New mattresses to be tried. Grinding and easy pleasures abound (but are they hollow?) your choice.
The absence makes the heart grow fonder, A lack not chosen but forced. The space when love has left the we but not the family my choice.
I will swim in paternal warmth, And blow upon the deadened embers A flame of love will be in my home my choice.
Yelling will be absent, Comfort given and not sought, Bending to needs and not offering things. my choice.
Food is quick but made with love Eating is a time to share Dining is relaxing and not a performance my choice.
Love is spending time and not money, Absent the pain of undelivered diamonds Attention and a love of being and now my choice.
My bed echoes with trust and tenderness I will wait for those sounds to die away. My sleep for now is love and fatherhood. my choice.