Always There: The Time that Holds Us

You never wrapped it in ribbons,

Never called it a gift.

Whether it be on purpose or instinct,

Time is what you give,

quietly, constantly,

like a breath.

And, no, not just the hours you spend,

But the pauses in between:

long drives, easy silences,

The space to grow,

to find my path once more.

You never wore a cape;

Though I wouldn’t mind the sight.

It would show who you really are:

My superhero, my Jiminy Cricket,

Working as my conscience and my guide.

I don’t normally say “thank you”,

For the lectures or the daily “homework”,

The subtle lessons about “the future”, 

Or even the meals on my plate.

But I hope it’s never too late to start.

So, thank you,

For the endless laughs, surprises, and joy.

Thank you,

For the love, the time, and care.

Thank you,

For the strength, compassion, and smarts.

And, thank you,

For being there.

I may not always understand,

What you do or why you do them.

But to answer your question,

“What do you want to do when you’re older?”,

I want to be your safety net,

Just as you have been mine.