Life Anniversaries

It's the 25th of October already.
I'm reminded yet again,
of how swiftly time flutters by
and how precious memories remain as treasures
made to withstand the flurries of current worries.

It was the first time I saw my pa cry.

His cheeks glistened with tears that flowed from his sunken, sleep-deprived eyes.
Pained from the stone cold reality, he hid.
He tried to hide from the heart-wrenching image that he would not, or rather, could not accept.

The peaceful body that lay in the living room, still and lifeless, 

was too much to bear. 

I remember kissing Thata.

The coldness of his skin,
the clammy sensation that crept into my frozen emotions,
the dawning of a comprehension that well, was stubbornly secluded outside my carefully constructed walls to prevent me from getting hurt.

Every year on this day,

I renew my oath to myself:

To treat people that I care about better while they are still around.

To say:
I love you.
Thank you for cooking for me.
I miss you.
You look pretty in that.
How are you?
You've made me proud.
You are amazing.
You are my precious person.

The subsequent part has been written after a few hours.

I think an analogy of a butterfly's life cycle would be an excellent way to depict a human's life.

As the cocoon rests,

the child grows and learns and plays.
As it breaks out of its cocoon,
the teenager prepares to leave home.
As the butterfly gets its first glimpse of the world,
the adult ventures into the working world.
As the butterfly seeks for nectar,
the middle aged person shoulders on more responsibilities.
As the butterfly prances around bushes of flowers,
the retiree ventures onto a new and relaxing journey.

As the wings of the butterfly deteriorates,

the aged person experiences arthritis and physical disabilities.

As the butterfly slowly flutters to a stand still,

the frail person leaves Earth's surface.

I hope Thata, that you're all dandy and happy, wherever you may be.