I don't want to forget.
The way Dad used to grin over the newspaper when we came downstairs in the morning.
The way Mom's perfume smelled when she hugged us.
How we all sometimes sat on the back steps and watched the sunset until Soda couldn't sit still any longer and got into a wrestling match with Dad.
When Darry used to grin and joke around with Soda and I.
The way Mom and Dad looked right before they left for the last time.
How Mom would sit next to me at the piano and teach me how to play.
The way Dad and Soda and Darry and I would all play football in the yard with the gang.
The way we all used to sneak fingerfuls of batter whenever Mom made chocolate cake.
When Dad would take us boys out into the country to go hunting.
The way we used to run around the yard, playing with our dog.
How Mom would brush our hair back and kiss our foreheads before bed each night.
The way the corners of Dad's eyes wrinkled when he laughed.
How pretty Mom looked when she smiled.
How Dally relaxed around our parents.
The way Johnny would look at them, almost wistfully, as if wishing his own parents were more like this.
The way Dad and Soda and Two-Bit would all joke around so much even Steve would laugh.
How Dad would help us with English and Mom would help us with math.
How they encouraged Darry to go out for football and me for track and didn't mind at all when Soda didn't do either.
When Dad showed us how to do simple sixes on cars.
The way Mom smiled at us when we wrestled in the living room as she sat on the sofa, crocheting.
How Dad would tickle us to get us up in the morning.
The way Soda would dance around the living room, belting out whatever song Mom was playing on the piano.
How Dad would play old records, educating us about the music from back in his day.
How Mom always stayed by our bedside whenever we were sick.
When Dad taught us 'the science of a punch' and told us not to tell Mom.
The way Mom made us clean our rooms each week, even if we insisted they were already clean.
How Dad used to take us to the zoo when we were little kids.
The way we'd all sometimes go for picnics out in the country.
The way Dad said he was proud of us.
How Mom told us she loved us.
I don't want to forget.