Hands that held me
When I was sick.
When I made a bad grade.
When I made a bad choice.
When I fell down, trying to jump too far too fast.
When someone hurt me or made me feel small.
When I needed a boost of confidence.
When I needed comfort and peace.
When I won a prize or performed a great show.
When I conquered my fears and did it anyway.
When I went away to college.
When I got my first big, well-paying job.
When I walked down the aisle.
When I decided to move far away.
When I decided to quit my well-paying job for a dream.
When the dream wasn't at all what I thought it would be.
When I gave birth- both times.
When I didn't know how to stop the crying- mine or the baby's.
When I forged a bright new path, full of promise and hope.
When I began to see how hard it would be to stay on that path,
With so many little obligations tugging at me, needing me to care for them,
Yet knowing those little obligations are Love, Life and Everything Good.
And now,
When I worry about you.
When I am wholly uncertain about the future,
Dreading the time when you can no longer hold my hand
Or speak my name.
When you need me to be strong,
I am here,
As ready as I'll ever be,
With hands that hold.
