Remember the days
of skinned knees
and gap-toothed grins?
Your little voice
calling my name
running behind me
in your tiny tux.

Remember the days
of metal mouths
and awkward lanky limbs?
Discovering we weren't blood,
but we WERE just the same.

I will remember fondly
the afternoons
where the beach stretched on
for miles,
and the rocks became our castle,
and we never ran out of words to say.

I will remember
being wrapped in your arms
enveloped in hugs
that could cure a broken heart.

I will remember courageous kindness,
a thousand-watt smile ,
and a heart too big for this world.

You left behind
a legacy unmatched.
So many hearts beat now
to the contagious cadence
of your laughter.

You were loved.
You are loved.
You will always be loved.

Remember now,
our naive promise
so many years ago?
We swore we'd be friends forever.

From your divine perch
seated by our maker forevermore,
remember:
You will always be in my heart.
I will never forget you.
Please remember.