Hello Scott

You have voiced a failure common to many of us. We don't realize the value of a person place or thing till we lose it. Some of us are not sensitive enough to realize their value and some are just indifferent. However we look at it, the loss is ours and it is irreplaceable.
Imagery- Imagery shows a delightful person who believes in spreading happiness. That positive attitude surfaces in taking you to places, in dropping color into your plain life. Nice metaphor.
After the experience has passed, the picture you paint of life is depicted well. when presence of a loved person is denied, life as you say is full "empty spaces." Vacant eyes looking into never ending gyres signifying nothing.
Title-
You have chosen a title that is short, significant and interesting.

It flows well.

Write on!