The Care Package

I come home to find the couch empty
That's been her permanent spot
For the past few weeks
So where is she
There she is, in the office
Where she hasn't been in months
She's sitting at her computer
With the laptop on a TV tray behind her
I lean down to her
For our habitual hello kiss
Seeing that she is
Searching on MapQuest
I ask where she's going
She laughs and says
She's working on The Trine
I notice that she's wearing
Clothes that actually fit
An Emerald Isle T-shirt
And a pair of sweatpants
Excitedly she jumps up
From the chair saying
Come look at the clothes
That Danielle sent
I follow her back into the kitchen
And there are two boxes on the table
I wonder why I didn't see them before
But I really don't have to ask
I know why, as usual
My attention was solely focused on her
I watch as she pulls out different pieces
Showing the ones that she really likes
And she tries them on for me
Then she holds several items
Up to her nose and takes a deep breath
In amazement I watch
As a huge smile appears on her face
She says everything smells like Danielle

In that instant I realize
This care package from her sister
Is more than just a box of clothes
It's lifted her spirits
A balm to her tattered soul
It's warm arms that envelop her

The same arms that held her
In safety and security
For the first time in her life
So many years ago
It's the memory of shared hugs
From when the distance
Between them was small

With a smile in my heart
I'm happy to witness
This love that they share
With a tear in my eye
I reach out to her
And pull her to me
Wrapping my arms around her
As I too, breath in the scent of her sister

03.29.05