In Loving Memory

This week Forever Freckled lost a fearless solider in the war against cancer. Candice Goldman Benuck was my sister, Alison’s best friend of almost twenty years. She was a brilliant veterinarian, a loyal friend, an amazing wife, and most importantly, an unbelievable mother. Last year, Candice was diagnosed with breast cancer after finding a lump in her breast. She fought tirelessly and endlessness but tragically lost her life earlier this week after the cancer spread.

Watching Alison lose her best friend has been one of the hardest things I have ever had to go through. Watching a mother have to say goodbye to her beautiful babies has been life altering. You never wake up the same. You never see the world the same way. How can a woman who sacrificed everything to be a mother be taken from her babies at a time when they need her the most? The pain of not being able to watch your children grow is worse than any physical pain the cancer could have caused.

I have no experience in romance writing, as this is the first poem I have ever written. I wrote this for Candice. Although I wrote it through the eyes of a dying woman, I truly believe it is a celebration of the power of motherhood. There are no limitations or boundaries to the bond that a mother has with her children. No matter where our child’s journey takes them, we are always with them. Candice may not be with her children physically but she will always be a part of them and she will continue to guide them and watch them grow.

My love, I have to go but never far,

I am always with you no matter where you are.

I am in each and every inch you will grow,

I am in each freckle from your head to your toes.

I am in your laughter,

I am in your tears,

I am always here to ease your fears.

I am in the curls on top of your head,

I am in your dreams when you go off to bed.

I am in your footprints left in the sand,

I am in the fingerprints within your hand.

I am in your successes,

I am in your defeats,

I am inside of you with every heartbeat.

It doesn’t matter where you go,

I am always imprinted in your soul.

You may not be able to hear or see me,

But my darling love, you will always feel me.

Wherever life takes us, whether near or far,

I am always a part of you, forever more.

Forever Freckled will be forever dedicated to the fight against cancer. A portion of our proceeds will be donated annually to finding a cure for cancer. Hopefully as our company grows, so will our ability to fight this tragic disease. Candice will always be in our hearts and a part of our mission to cure cancer.