I remember your huge smile

Each nuance of your body

The feel of your hair

Your smell

All of those conversations that lasted until we fell asleep at 2 or 3 in the morning

All of the natural wonders we found in our own backyard

And each of the treasures we found off the beaten path

I Remember how you let me explore myself

Discover who I am

Express whatever I needed

And how you gave me the space to do so

without ever making me wrong for being me

 Gently teaching me boundaries and how not to lie

Not through words, but through example

How you shaped me from a confused girl to a strong young woman

I miss all of these things, but am ever grateful for the memories

Especially the memory

of your smile.