We stared in amazement at what this find may mean for us.

"It's here for the taking," Brother shrugged, "gimme a boost."

He landed in the dumpster with a thud.

I checked the school parking lot: empty due to Christmas break.

He pushed and I pulled. Success!

Ecstatic, we pulled our treasure away. In small puffs, our breath took wing upon the shimmering winter air. Giddy with hope, we hardly felt the cold by then.

We arrived at the door of our

impoverished home, filled with childish certainty: Santa would remember us this year.

This year we had a tree.

Waltz with me

Beneath the trees

Of plum

And burnished gold

I love you more

Than all the leaves

That swirl beneath our feet

Dear God,

I pray to you in whispers

And tired, weary sighs

My days are empty echoes

Of restless, night time cries

But I think on how You do collect

Each tear spilt from my eye

You keep them in a vessel

Because for me, You chose to die

—————————————

You keep track of all my sorrows.

You have collected all my tears in your bottle.

You have recorded each one in your book.

Psalm 56:8

“Them cows are lost?” Piper persisted.

“There are no actual cows— it's just a stupid saying. Go to sleep!” Harmony snapped at her little sister.

Piper's wheezing exhalations filled their darkened bedroom.

Harmony's tone softened, “It just means… ‘for a very long time’. Maybe forever. Nobody knows.”

Drifting to sleep, Piper whispered, “Harmony, I'm gonna love ya ’til the cows come home.”

Eventually, Harmony found the strength to visit. With kissed fingertips touching cold gravestone, she wept, “Love you, Piper.”

Approaching her car, Harmony cried out and fell to her knees.

On the hood, scrawled in the fresh snow:

ttcch