Life is Simple; Just Add Water

 I love watching my grandma light up when she tells stories about her and my grandpa. She told me about how they rode from Texas to California on a motorcycle and how my grandpa sang at the Lucky Lady in Paskenta, CA in a band called the “Nelson Gold.” So Grandma, I love you and this one’s for you!

It’s nostalgic and sweet,
It twists and it turns, 
it changes,
it stays the same,

and it’s where love grows

It’s where Grandpa takes Grandma,
to write his music,
to play his songs,
and to be by him,
the closest thing to perfect,
that’s ever been

It’s where she sits on the blanket,
by his notebook and pen,
as he sings Willie Nelson’s,
Always on my mind, again

He puts his arms around her,
he holds her close,
her heart flutters,
her stomach turns,
and in that moment,
her love is what he’s earned

She closes her eyes,
and one tear falls,
he’s still with her,
he’s still with us all,

She thinks about him often,
she smiles about their life,
she wonders why he can’t be here,
and how happy she was to be his wife

As she reminisces about him,
she realizes that…

At the river,  memories are made,
and at the river, time fades,
and at the river, old becomes new,
and at the river, is where they say,
I love you


Kristin Cook

gma and gpa

The Wind Keeps Blowing You Through My Mind

I dedicate this poem to a wonderful woman who taught me how bittersweet life can be. She showed the world how strong she was, by fighting all the way to the end. She leaves behind a community of loved ones, who will cherish her memory and hold her close to their hearts. You will always be with us, maybe closer now than ever before.

Loving is easy when I think about you,
Reminiscing of all the good times we’ve been through.
The way you laughed, the way you cursed,
How your bird learned to speak the worst.
You always brought a smile to our face,
You did it with such joy and such grace

We are happy when you come to mind,
Remembering now, how we have such little time.
We’ll cry. You know that’s true,
We lost a radiant soul, we lost you.

Your life was grand, your life was blue,
You raised your own, you raised a few,
The bus rides were strict when they were with you,
We knew our limits, we couldn’t push through.

The time now is hard without you here,
We enjoyed so much when you were near.
Watch over us as we grieve,
Our memories together are wonderful, we just didn’t want you to leave.

Promise us you’ll visit often,
We pray one day the pain will soften.
Our sorrows will drift, our struggles will divide,
Just as the moon pulls the tide, 
In our hearts you’ll be by our side.

The tears that fall are like wind to the chimes,
We’re here to celebrate your life and we’re here to have good times.
As we all mourn together, I raise my glass to you and all your endeavors.
We love you Becky Trimm,
At the gates of heaven we’ll meet again.

-Kristin Cook