Val

She wore a green floral shirt.
A wig.
The color of her hair, almost her style.
I figured she had it all planned before she decided to lay so still.
I waited for her hands to move.
Always the hands.
They never do.
Hugs.
Handshakes.

Photos stab my eyes
thinking she is all of us
arms around her girls around her husband around her family.
She was always so alive
even when she was complaining about library fines.

You knew what she thought.
Decisive.
Over-protective.
Love.
Her sad teen girls.
Sad husband.
Polite hugs and smiles,
"thank you for the food."
And I knew that green shirt was the most lovely outfit I saw all day.