I walk you to school each and every day
to squeeze one more moment together,
Because I don’t want to walk alone.
I hug you in front of the world to see
so everyone knows how much I will miss you,
Because I don’t want to feel any less.
I kiss you to your absolute embarrassment
so the world understands our child is loved,
Because I don’t want to know grief.
I ask you, “can I tell you something important?”
“I know Dad, you love me,” so you never forget it,
Because I don’t want to regret something unsaid.
I stop every so often on a break and wonder
how is your day going as you learn and play,
Because I don’t want to forget why I work.
I run by your school in the hope that I see you
playing, laughing with your friends at recess,
Because I don’t want to see an empty playground.
I wait patiently for a hug and debrief after school
to sigh in relief that we survived another day,
Because I don’t want endless days of nothing.
I tuck you in and check on you as you sleep
to make sure you and I know everything is okay,
Because I don’t want empty beds.
Because things are not okay.
And I am sorry that I feel hopeless to protect you.
Because I would die for you,
So you don’t have to.
And I am sorry that people don’t care enough to act.
Because I would do anything for you,
So you shouldn’t have to.
And I am sorry that politics are more important than heartbreak.
Because I am trying to change this for you,
So you know what is normal.
And I am sorry that society is numb to all of this,
Because I am filled with rage for you,
So we don’t have to live with this fear.
I do this
Because I know a parent is begging for one more moment together
Because I know each of those children will be missed forever
Because I know each student was and will be loved ever and ever
Because I know the public will move on and forget however
Because I know our days will just go on and on until another terror
Because I know the sound of joy is silent again without measure
Because I know a family is hugging together for wrong reasons.
I do these things
Because, “it didn’t happen to me,” is not good enough
Because we know things are not okay
And because you are my cause
You, he, she, they, and them
Are worth protecting.
How long until we realize we have the power to change this.
Together.
Be the cause for change.
Beautifully said and with the deep feeling we should all display for every child...
This is beautiful and so very true.