I

sn’t it strange how an ordinary task

of using a knife or vacuuming

can trigger a memory?

Watching Joe sharpening

all my cutlery for me

Because they were all so dull,

Talking and laughing the whole time.

An act of love so simple.­

I miss him very much

and think of him each time

I use those knives.

He also bought me a vacuum cleaner

because mine didn’t work.

I think of him and smile­

every time I use it.

I miss you, Joe.

(Joe Welch was my stepfather and I adored him. He died of cancer in 1995. There’s not a day goes by that I don’t miss him.)