You Were Here After All

    I finally found the words for feelings I've had since we got to Wichita. 

 

 

You Were Here After All 

 

I wondered why we miss you so much

 here in Wichita, a place you have never been,

then I remembered you were, 30 years ago.

You were eight, it was our family's first trip

with Reed watching over a plane--

Tulsa, Dallas, then Wichita.

And so, you were here after all. 

 

We were in Wichita again two years ago

for work, this time for training.

The one year anniversary of losing you

happened while we were here.

We shared your stories, welcome or not,

with a couple of classmates at dinner.

You were here that night after all.

 

And now we are in Wichita again

for work, of course. Who would visit

 Kansas in the heat of summer?

A mechanic here competes lifting weights.

This time, we spoke about your strength.

No wonder we've missed you so much,

you were here with us after all. 

 

You are always with us, after all. 

 

 

7/30/25