woven into her memories

she remembers
whispering from her toddler bed  
nightlight on--
he tiptoes  
  
checking down the hall, then
flashlights under covers,
dancing stuffed animals,
and sucking thumbs  
   
she remembers  
fighting over hotwheels,
screaming and fits  
when she didn't get her way  
   
toys left on the floor  
fights forgotten  
biking with him outside
until dark  
 
then sitting through dreaded dinners  
gagging at each other  
making faces  
behind the parents' backs  
   
and sitting on the couch  
on either side of Mom  
listening to the story of  
Shahrazad in medieval Persia  
 
she remembers  
putting on PJs  
on opposite sides  
of the baby's crib  
  
she remembers  
how easy things seemed  
when they were young  
together  
   
he was her leader  
admiration  
she imitated him
he was her guide  
   
her sounding board  
her example  
her protector  
he was there  
   
he's woven completely  
into her memories  
of the happy  
innocent days  
   
those days didn't last long  
but he stayed through them all, by her side