You were your mother’s daughter in every way,
She greeted you at the Rainbow Bridge and I said goodbye today

The words come slowly as I write through the tears,
I expected you to be here longer than seven short years.

You were there by my side when your mother took flight,
There beside me to take me through the long, long nights.

Your beautiful babies brought joy to our hearts,
Even when your daughter, Bonnie, turned into such an upstart.

Bonnie Blue will greet you today along with Sadie Bird,
And I’m sure the reunion will be the likes Heaven has never heard.

You leave me here with a job to be done,
Your daughter Spring will have to work hard to be my special one.

She will now be the one to carry on the girl thing,
How appropriate now that I named her Spring.

She will be me joy in the days to come,
But today, sweet Colleen, I have none.

There is no other to take your place,
No one who can replace your beautiful face.

The other boxers here will see me through,
But all of the time I’ll be wanting and missing you.

The candle is lit, your soul is away
But for those of us here it will be a long, long day.

Farewell, My Colleen, who couldn’t quite behave though she tried,
My Irish Lass with the laughing eyes, you’ve left me here with more tears to be dried.

Ann Gilbert
Sarkel Boxers