My Child

I have watched you
growing, changing, struggling
I have seen you
Striking out in frustration
crying out in pain
It is hard.
There is nothing, sometimes,
that I can do
to ease your burden
to simplify your life
to soothe your sorrow.
I would not have you be
anything, anyone
but who you are.
You...
with all your spirit,
your joy of living
your temperamental stubbornness...
but if I could
I would
carry your burdens for you
that you would struggle less
I would
take your pain
that you would hurt less
These things, I can not do.
and, so, my child,
I will teach you
to do all that you can
and be all that you are
I will not protect you
from the world;
I will let you fall
and help you to get back up
Most of all,
I will love you...
with every beat of my heart
with every breath that I take
with every part of my being.
I will love you,
Forever.

©Sherry-Lynn Krull
February 07, 2005