A year and four days my senior
We did everything together
Hours spent playing and laughing
Siblings who could face whatever
We shared a love for music
In ways wise beyond her time
I learned about what is important
From good old southern rock rhymes
In 7th grade she introduced me to cannabis
My first experience smoking weed
Probably experimented 10 times
Of being caught I took heed
I lived in legitimate fear of my father
He demanded we do as told
Tammy never seemed to care
Her stubbornness a sight to behold
At 17 diagnosed with Leukemia
Yet still never showed any fear
Though many friends and family wept
I never saw Tam shed a tear
At one point thought to be in remission
Bone marrow I was to donate
Before the transplant could be effected
A setback determined it too late
We buried Tammy on her 19th birthday
I felt guilt but was glad she passed
I had watched her and my loved ones suffer
She was finally at rest at last
The biggest regret I have in missing her
My own family with her I could share
She used to sing Simple Man to me
From Tammy I learned to care
JBentley-24May2023