Stream of consciousness -- part 45

Chapter 45

October 29, 2011 – Still in Fayetteville

My brother

Asks us

To stop

At a house

Not far

From the hospital

Where a family

Of friends

Resides

We stop

Without first

Calling

My brother

Is unsure

Of the welcome

He will

Receive

He cannot

Face

Being rejected

Or being pitied

Or being seen as a

Burden

My brother

Does not understand

That his value is not in what he brings

His value is in himself

He himself

Is of

Value

The husband --

My brother’s Army friend --

Is so staggered by unexpected sight

Of my brother

That he is

Speechless

A daughter –

The youngest daughter –

Does not hesitate

She runs out and greets my brother

With a squeal and

A hug

As the girl

Is hugging my brother

Her mother

Drives up to

The house

She exits

Her car and

She echoes

Her youngest daughter –

The squeal and the hug --

And adds a punch on the arm

And a question

“Why didn’t you call us?

You could have

Stayed here.”

My brother

Answers

“I had nothing.

I could bring nothing.

I could do nothing

For you.”

“You”, she says

“Are all we want.

Not what you have.

Not what you bring.

Not what you do.

You are

What

Matters.”