what is missing?

Nothing much to see here right? A backyard covered with snow looking unused and waiting for spring.

But what you don’t see are the tracks that used to be there. They went straight across the deck through the yard to the back fence, then around the perimeter of the yard. They were well worn and the same year in and year out. Every time I looked through this window I could see evidence that our two boys had walked their pattern then once finished either would play in the middle or, as they got older come lay on the deck until it was time to come in.

Both boys are gone now…just this past year. I miss them all the time. I miss opening the door and having one or both come to greet me, I miss vacuuming the hair that they left everywhere, the hair I complained about all the time.

But most of all, I miss looking out the window and seeing their paths in the snow, evidence that they were looking out for their home and the loved ones in it.

They are what is missing.