BELINDA

I was only in grade school

You too

Life had not even begun for us

I still remember that day on the football field

I couldn't say the words

So wrote them in the dirt on the ground

You read them

My world changed

It was no longer just about me

It was about us

You,your sister Natalie and your mom and dad embraced me

Seems like it happened just yesterday

Turkey seems so far away now

I almost feel like it was more of a dream than reality

But it was and is real

Sometimes the memories are painful

Not because of you

Maybe you'll read this

Then you will understand

I never gave up searching for you

I got older and life tried to replace you

But memories kept you alive to me

Now that I am growing older

And life and my body aren't as kind anymore

Memories help me to push on

So many places I have traveled

If you could see me now

But you can through my words

And I remember Travis and Nevada and Circus Circus

And I remember typing

And I remember

And I remember

Tiger your gift from Turkey

The smell of your mom's perfumed scented poodles

How big and tall your dad was

I remember your sister and those big glasses I wore

I remember Incirlik and our school

But where are you now

I hope you are happy

And still I never did and never will forget you

Please don't forget me

(Dedicated and in memory of my time in Incirlik CDI Turkey 1972-1973)