When I am gone, do not fear my memory.

Do not be afraid to speak my name or look through old photographs.

Do not be scared to play old videos so that you might hear my voice and see me laughing.

Do not be wary of visiting my favorite places or eating my favorite foods or singing along to my favorite songs.

I know it will hurt. Those memories will remind you that I am gone.

They will stab you like a knife in an open, gaping wound. Raw, excruciating pain.

But after a while the knife will become less sharp, the wound will become less open, and the pain will become less raw.

And those memories will remind you that I was here, that I lived.

Do not reduce my life to my death.

Speak my name, hear my voice, sing my favorite songs and visit my favorite places.

Because that is how I can stay alive a little.

Right here with you.

Becky Hemsley 2022