I keep thinking of when mom asked me to come check on him, that she thought he just died. I was working at home, but ran over next door.
He was so still in bed, his cheeks turning sallow already, and I just leaned over with my chest to his and listened to see if I could hear anything. There was no sound of breathing or heartbeat, and I kept desperately changing positions to try to listen at a different angle. But nothing.
I began to cry, trying to find any sounds. Then gave up, kept my head there and cried quietly, telling those around me that I couldn’t hear anything.
His face was so relaxed, he didn’t hurt or struggle, he just fell asleep. And I sobbed knowing I couldn’t hear his voice rumbling deep in his chest again.
A Burd in Flight 