the challenge is to be surefooted steps soft and light weaving through the house as it resists my every move to stop and kiss innocent cheeks make sure the bodies are still warm prepare the same rituals of hot coffee and cold juice while the dogs wait patiently for fresh air, water they exist only for my care and hurried touch this day like any other you are here as well asleep in the back room i know this as certain as i know the path i need to take towards my favorite chair also waiting for me to take pen to paper in the near light in the almost day the challenge is to create a life story strangers want to read