If You Remember Anything, Remember This by Valerie Parente

The day that taught you
what true bravery was
the day that gave you
3,000 guardian angels above
the day that made you
feel the weight of all your love.

The day that lingering question,
what is the meaning of life?
had one prevalent answer,
and it was to love in your limited timeline.

Because in the midst of unimaginable horror
you saw consciousness in its greatest honor
to be capable of love and recognize it in another
to remember that this is all that matters.

– Valerie Parente (9-12-2021)