Take her hand when she’s crying

and when she’s laughing. Take her

hand. Listen to her even when you

don’t want to. She will do the same.

Ask for forgiveness. Say you’re sorry.

Improve. Try. Work toward something.

Show her you love her in sloppy wet

kisses before work, in making sure she

knows she can text you whenever and

you’ll answer, in wishing her a good day,

in allowing her to have a life, in allowing

her to be herself, in encouraging her to

be herself, in encouraging her to try new

experiences with you. Tell her you love

her when she’s mad. Tell her you love her

when she’s tired, barely awake. Tell her you

are sorry. Tell her you wish you had done

better and try to do better. Tell her you wish

you had met her earlier, that you wish

her laughter was there sooner so you could

hear it longer. Tell her that you love her, while

you hold her hand, her sleeping body. Tell her

even though she can’t hear you. Talk about

nothing so she has something to listen to.

Talk about something so she has something

to care about. Talk. Tell her you are there and

be there. Be present, no matter how many times

you find yourself crying while she sleeps, no matter

how many times you find yourself wishing her

laughter was there longer, no matter how many

times you wish you could just see her, animated,

smiling or crying or even mad at you. No matter

how many times you wish you could show her you

love her one more time. You love her. You loved her.