I got a big balloon today,

My favorite thing to hold.

It floated high above my head.

So pretty, round, and gold.

Mommy bought it from the store,

She picked it out for me.

I promised I would hold it tight

And never set it free.

When we walked out, the wind had blown.

The string slipped from my hand.

It disappeared into the clouds.

I couldn’t understand.

Mommy wiped my tears and said

“Don’t worry, don’t you cry.

Things are sometimes happier

When they get the chance to fly.”

I’ve had my bear since I was small,

He cuddles when we nap.

He sits beside me every day

And snuggles in my lap.

He climbs up trees and slips in mud,

Gets tucked beneath my head.

He likes to come to tea parties

And bounce with me in bed.

My bear ripped down his fluffy side

His stuffing falling out.

I gave him three big giant hugs

And kissed his tiny snout.

Mommy stitched him and she said,

“He’s braver now, you see.

A little patch just shows how much

He means to you and me.”

My puppy loves to jump and spin

And chase me all around.

He wags so big it shakes his back.

He barks at every sound.

He always likes to follow me

And snuggle when I rest.

He lays his head upon my knee

And knows I love him best.

Lately he just stays nearby

With sleepy, gentle eyes.

His legs don’t chase like they once did,

But still, he tries and tries.

His tail wagged slower than it has,

He dreamed more than he played.

We wrapped him up and kept him warm 

And next to him we stayed.

“Where will he go?" I asked my mom

She squeezed my hand to say 

“He’ll go where he’ll feel better

And can run again all day.”

“Will I see him someday soon?”

I whispered soft and shy.

“He’s everywhere,” Mom said to me.

"In birds and dragonflies.”

“Some say our loved ones visit us,

In colors bright and clear.

So look for wings that move so fast

Or red birds flying near.”

My best friend likes to play with me

We swing up to the sky.

We draw with chalk and make up games

And laugh until we cry.

At school we sit in matching seats

And have the same lunch bag.

We race outside at recess time

To play our game of tag.

She said we’ll always be best friends

Before she moved away.

She promised she would write and call,

But I wish she could stay.

She came over to say goodbye

We hugged with all we had.

“Why can’t she just move in with us?

I’ll ask her mom and dad.”

Mom knelt beside me, brushed my hair,

And said, “It’s hard, I know.

But real friends stay inside your heart,

No matter where they go.”

I missed her more than words could say,

But then I felt less sad.

She still calls me to talk and laugh.

I guess it’s not so bad.

Gram makes braids throughout my hair,

And teaches me to cook.

We color pictures all day long,

With gel pens in her book.

She tucks soft tissues in her sleeves

For all her sudden sneezes.

She keeps a stash of candy treats,

The chocolate, chewy pieces.