Each Tear Carries a Memory

"Each Tear Carries a Memory"

Has it really been a year
since that fateful day
When family came together
in order to pray

About Ryan
His life
And all that he has done
My cousin
More than just family
And all of the fun

We shared our stories
about friends and life
Never really knowing
He was full of strife

Until the phone call
From my mom
Late at night
Her tone was somber
Trouble in her voice
He gave up the fight

Reality faded
into a blur
Did I hear her right
I just wasn't sure

Could he really be gone
Never to return
I went numb
To the words
And the world
I was struck dumb

Not knowing what to do
Or what to say
I sat in my room
For the next day

A quiet ride home
Filling me with questions
All going unsaid
Was it possible
For my cousin Ryan
To be dead

Counting down hours
As time passed by
Emotion gripping me
Yet I could not cry

The day of the wake
Feeling nervous
I looked around
Reality took another turn
Into fantasy
My heart hit the ground

People I knew
Exposing their tears
No longer
hiding their fears

Many came
To show their love
Pain in every face
I wanted to run
Far away
But there was no place

Many memorable stories
we all shared
Because for Ryan
we all cared

The day of the funeral
Was harder for everyone
That cared for him
People hurting
On the inside
With faces so grim

The funeral mass
seemed to crawl by
Sad stories
Left no eye dry

The procession of cars
Now headed toward
His bed of final rest
We all arrived
At the cemetery
Very well dressed

All together we said
our last goodbyes
Everyone lets out
their cries

Wishing a better place
For him to rest
With no sorrow
Family comes together
To celebrate his life
And hope for a better tomorrow