The Best and Worst Dreams

The best dreams are when I am holding Roxie.

She may be a baby, or older than 6 ½.

She’s propped on my lap, letting me stroke her arm (“Do tickles, Momma”) and kiss her forehead.

I love the feel of her warm skin next to mine, her bony legs on top of me, the smell of her hair de-tangler. She usually has her tiny fingers wrapped around one of mine. I wake rejoiced – she’s here!

The worst dreams are when I’m holding Roxie.

After a few moments of confusion, I become panicked. Then the dread sets in. It was a dream. She’s gone.

I must face another day.

Without her.