Mrs. Gunning

I thought you'd be there

Always standing tall

Against the storm

Never faltering

I came to you for peace

And reassurance

Knowing and believing

That you'd always be there

Waiting for me

Knowing I'd come back

You never turned away from me

Then one day I came back

And they said you were gone

So swiftly

Your family - they knew me

I walked into the wake and they said 

"You must be the Papergirl 

She always talked about"

How did they know

When I went in to honor you

Your family knew me

How

Was I that special

I always felt that to you thought I was

For six years we were together

Always inviting me into your house

When it got too cold outside

Or on those sweltering days

And a lot of times

Just because

Sitting on your

Warm, welcoming couch

Talking about life and

Drinking the hot cocoa you provided

Practically every morning

For six years

I was very proud of you

Of your accomplishments

Of your determination

To keep on

Going strong at your age

It amazed me

At how much you would

Continued to participate in

Making a difference in the world

When other's your age

Just gave in

But not you

You could never sit idle

 When other things

Were still yet to accomplish

You were a

A real person doing

Incredible things

But then I went to college

Did I stay always too long

Why didn't I come by more often

My life became busy

I thought you would

Always be there

For me to return to

And now you are gone

 And although I have your picture

 I'd rather have you