Dennis,

I can see your hands~ gnarled from a past injury or two, strong and calloused. I don't know why, but when I think of you I always see your hands. I can see your face, your teeth and your hair too. Everyone says we look alike. I think we do too.
I can hear the sound of your laugh, loud and booming. When something was funny you never held back. I can hear your voice. I can remember when it was gone, you mouthed to me that you loved me. I think of that often. I always knew you felt that way, c'mon~ I'm your sister...I just hated that you had to say it because time was running out.
I can recall all of the crazy mannerisms that were strictly yours~ the way you would stretch your neck, when you would walk and kick your heels, the way you would blink and nod, how you would space out mid-conversation while watching television. I hated when you did that to me. My favorite though was when you would close your eyes, shrug your shoulders and make that face. I can imitate it perfectly...always could.
I can feel your strength. You were invincible~ muscular, athletic, confident. You were so brave, so selfless. You still are all of those things to me, even now.

I will never forget you. How could I?

One year later, my heart and our family remains broken. I am still angry. Still in denial. Still worried. Still devastated. Still sad. Still missing you. I will never be the same.
I have so many questions I wish you could answer and I've wished you back a thousand times. I just wish you could go home to your girls.
I know what you wanted for all of us. I know what matters to you and what doesn't. I know you are still with me and I know we'll see you again someday~ it just seems like too long to wait.

There is nobody in this world like you, Den.
I love you,
Katie