Thomas Theodore Robinson
My eyes fluttered open and a smile immediately danced on my face as I woke up for the day. I rolled out of bed and slowly sat down at the end of it, making sure not to wake up my slumbering husband, Kyle. I stole a quick glance at the clock, it was nearly eight. Eight o’clock means it is time to get started with the day. I crept out of bed and down the hall. The sun’s rays peeked through the crack at the bottom of Tommy’s door. I opened the creaking door slowly and peered in. My sweet prince gazed up at me with his large brown eyes that shimmered in the sunlight. They were swarming with excitement. Today he was three years old.

After enjoying a special breakfast consisting of hot oatmeal, scrambled eggs, and Canadian bacon, I dressed Tommy and then got dressed myself. I let Tommy pick out his favorite outfit because of the occasion. As Tommy and I were leaving I blew Kyle a goodbye kiss and walked out of the house, I lovingly said “I’ll see you later today honey.” Tommy and I had a big day ahead of us and would meet up with Kyle later in the day. I strapped Tommy into his car seat. He grinned back at me with a smile as wide as the ocean. He was awfully quiet for what was going to be such an eventful day, but I didn’t mind. As long as I was spending the day with my little angel I was happy.
As I got into the car I asked Tommy freely, “Where would you like to go today, birthday boy?” Tommy replied enthusiastically, “Laundromat!” This was a conjecturable answer. Tommy loved going to the laundry mat. He sat atop the washing machines and watched me fold clothes, never growing old of it. Tommy also loved to watch he machines go around and around and around. They fascinated him. His brown eyes locked onto the machines as he would gaze at them for hours upon hours. The laundry mat gave him a feeling of cleanliness and freshness. Probably because that was a laundry mat did. As I was finishing up folding the laundry, Tommy daintily stated, “Mommy, I want to go to the food store.” This was only the second time Tommy spoke since saying laundromat. I was happy that he was so enthusiastic to go to these two places because I began to feel as if it was slowly becoming a boring birthday for him. Unlike the laundromat I had no idea why he wanted to go to the food store but I complied keeping in mind that it was his day. I figured I would soon find out why he picked the food store as the next stop before the park. So I quickly replied, “Anything for you my lovely little snuggle pie.”
We pulled into the parking lot and I could not repress my curiosity any longer. “So, Tommy, why did you want to go to the food store for your birthday?” I asked. “To get flowers for our picnic in the park later with dad,” he replied calmly. I nodded my head nicely in approval. We walked into the store and grabbed a cart. Tommy loved sitting in the seat part of the cart and ride around while I shopped. We finally got to the isle with the flower fridge in it. Tommy swiftly shouted from across the store, “Mom! Mom! I want these. They are my favorite” He was pointing to the white lilies with his frail tiny fingers. “You want the lilies? I was looking at the roses but know that I think about it I agree with you. Lilies it is,” I responded. “Yay!” he shouted out with excitement, “Thank you so much mommy I love you.” Hearing him say those words made my heart melt like a popsicle in the middle of July. He picked the best bunch of lilies out and I placed them into the cart. The only reason I was surprised he chose the lilies was because he changed his favorite flower within the past 4 months. It used to be dandelions because he loved to pick them at the park. We checked out and Tommy left the food store with a smile that lit up the sunny clear sky.

When we arrived to the park the sun was quickly engulfed by gray ominous clouds.
The sky was gray and apathetic; it had no sun. It seemed as if it was simply just there. I shivered harder as the temperature plummeted. I felt something cold kiss my cheek. It was snowing. My eyes skittered side to side, gathering the surroundings. The once lush lively green grass was now being killed by the harsh frozen flakes falling from the somber sky. The trees that held singing birds and a young girl’s kite were suddenly barren, thin and jagged.
I hurried to the stroller to cover Tommy. He was so warm, so soft, he smiled at me. He still glowed like he did in the sun’s rays. A small chuckle escaped his lips, I held his hand softly ignoring the snowflakes landing on my skin. “Maggie,” I heard a loud voice crack like a whip then silence. I scooped Tommy up and held him close to my chest. I spun around and saw Kyle running towards me, crushing the small snowy soldiers with each stride. “Maggie what are doing out here? It’s so cold,” Kyle glowered, wrapping his coat around me. “But the sun was just out and Tommy loves the park. I thought it might be a nice place to spend his birthday. Did you bring the picnic basket? I found a lovely spot to sit!” I smiled. I pointed to where I had laid the checkered blanket out. “Sweetheart,” Kyle sighed. He put his hand on Tommy “What are you holding?” I looked at him confused. “Do you not recognize your own son?” I muttered. I pulled Tommy away from me an inch, but when I looked down; his darling brown eyes did not meet mine. I was gripping tightly to Teddy, Tommy’s stuffed bear. I dropped it on the snow covered ground and slapped my hand a top my mouth to prevent me from screaming. I gasped in shock of what I had been holding compared to what I thought I was holding. I looked to the blanket; it was no longer there just a grave stone. The grave stone read: In loving memory of our shining angel Thomas Theodore Robinson, 2 years old, (December 8, 2006-July 19, 2009) R.I.P.