Goodbye
Goodbye my mother the mother I never really knew. Goodbye to the woman housed me in your body for nine full months. Goodbye to the 16 year old girl who held me once and then handed me over to the nuns with a hope I would have a better life than you could provide. I want you to know that I have had a beautiful life. My childhood was filled with love, two doting parents, a wondrous brother who was my very first friend. Today we scattered your ashes. Today I waded out into the Columbia River at Astoria where you wanted to be scattered at the sunrise with the outgoing tide. I waded out and spread your remains with tears flowing down my face, my heart filled with regret. I walked back to shore and your brother, who was more father to you than brother, put his arm around me and reminded me that I still have blood family left. We stood there and watched your remains float out, your brother and sister telling stories about you, so I could know you a little better now t