Since Then ... Every morning holds that moment Every mile, a reminder Every night sighs a silent prayer Since Then ... The music tends to a hurting heart Harmonizing with the memories of what was Before ripping the wounds open once again Since Then ... A million words haven't fixed what I didn't know was broken A million tears haven't emptied the well of sadness Talking ... so much talking ... with no relief Since Then ... The salt-and-pepper beard has turned mostly to salt The aches have become my constant companion The lines etched deeper, sadder Since Then ... The hats have shifted, the labels changed Failure. Incapable. Uncreative. Host Dad. Imaginative. Soul Traveler. Since Then ... The addresses are different The responsibilities are different The loneliness is not. Since Then ... Secret shame. Isolated grief. Solo wandering. Healing. Growth. Restoration. Happiness. Remnants. Remembrance. Regrets. Since Then ... Death. A vision of what comes Next Finding the soul and the purpose Meeting my traveling companion again Since Then ... Dreams. My God, the dreams Eye contact. A guiding touch Angry words and accusations Since Then ... Connections and understanding The pieces falling into place But no one to put the puzzle together with Since Then ... Longing, aching, missing Wondering, watching, wanting Waiting ...