CELESTE I future see again will

I stand-lean , look-at yard notice line dark soil next-to house Johnson, that line Mom and I before plant flower bulb++ I pat soil, (facial expression-sigh)

Mom comment thanks help plant

I say nothing, look my hand dirty I (2h)think girl Celeste Johnson Before she live that house she almost same age me Celeste before come-with me primary We play together , over, over-back birthday party+ Sometimes we set up tent her backyard, pretend camping She my best-friend

now Celeste die gone few months ago, she died car accident my family, we cry-alot Celeste our friend, we miss her Plus, car accident, her father hurt, we cry we cry why her family sad

I really want help Celeste family I give animal stuff her sister Ella Plus I ask people make gift give Celeste family I want them know we love them

I go funeral, I sit close friends from church we sing Celeste her favorite primary song title Faith, about how we can future live with God again song help-me remember I see Celeste again will there cemetery casket I put flowers-on All Celeste her friends sad We all miss her but I pray, fast, I feel less sad scripture+ read , talk friend from church that help me

today we visit Johnson family, help them plant flower their yard bulbs small, brown now Me now know what they look like spring will pretty

Mom watch-me, comment Hey you know reason I like bulb+

I shake my head Sun bright my eye squint look-at her What?!

flower bulb die during winter but later spring flower grow again always that remind me resurrection. Flower die You see flowers none that not mean they gone Same idea Celeste, all us when we die Jesus Christ, give us cool we can rise and live again

I look-at hump dirt bulbs grow, grow (2h) separate dirt I know spring flower beautiful will. plus I know I see Celeste again will

I lean-down dirt cover bulbs, I blow-kiss I whisper See you later spring

Illustrations by Shawna J. C. Tenney