Some of the nicest and most interesting

people I know were born in February.

So when she came on Groundhog Day

I thought, Wow! How great is that!

After her death, the huge shadow of sorrow

that came with Punxsutawney Phil

darkened our determined celebrations

of her beautiful, but too short, life.

But always, when we peered out

and through our broken hearts

we found signs that she was with us,

birthday kisses on her special day.

Now, as her birthday month approaches

I know February may bring sorrow’s shadow,

but mostly I wait, wide eyed and watchful

to catch and hold the valentines she’ll send.

Genesse Bourdeau Gentry is author of Stars in the Deepest Night – After the Death of a Child, and Catching the Light: Coming Back to Life after the Death of a Child, available at www.afterthedeathofachild.com.

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Genesse Gentry

Genesse Gentry is the author of two books of poetry, Stars in the Deepest Night - After the Death of a Child and Catching the Light – Coming Back to Life after the Death of a Child. She lives in northern California with her husband Bill. They are the parents of daughters Megan and Lori, who died in a car accident in 1991 at the age of 21. Following Lori’s death, Genesse and Bill joined the Marin County, California Chapter of The Compassionate Friends (TCF). Genesse has continued being involved in that organization ever since. She has been meeting group facilitator for both the Marin County and San Francisco meetings as well as chapter leader. She is currently on the steering committee of TCF Marin, as well as Regional Coordinator for Northern California. She presents writing workshops at national conferences of The Compassionate Friends as well as for northern California chapters. Genesse appeared on the radio show “Healing the Grieving Heart” with Dr. Gloria & Dr. Heidi Horsley to discuss “Compassionate Friends: Finding Hope Through Service.” To hear Genesse being interviewed on this show, click on the following link:

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