I held your hands and made them clap
You smiled up at me
I knew that I would always love you
You were so great a part of me. 

Your tiny feet hit the sidewalk
Each step was new and free
I was simply terrified
When you fell and skinned your knee. 

You turned and looked up at me
With tears in your eyes
I scooped you up into my arms
And promised you’d be fine. 

I will always remember
The summer you were three
I held you in the bright sunshine
And rocked you until you fell asleep
I held you for awhile
Knowing it was the end
I’d never get to hold you
And rock you to sleep ever again. 

I watched you learn to ride a bike
To count and say your ABC’s
All the time I was filled with pride
As I watched you test your growing wings. 

I will always hold you close to me
Though you’re learning to fly alone
With every beat of your wings
I’m learning how to let go.

Today I clenched my jaw, fighting tears
As you climbed on the school bus
I wondered how your day would be
If the other kids would play nicely
What if you skinned your knee? 
Who would hold and comfort you in place of me?
As watched the school bus drive away
My heart sank in my chest.

I closed my eyes and remembered
The way your pale eyelids fluttered in the sun
The weight of your sleeping self
As I rocked you back and forth. 

I may not always be able to hold you in my arms
But forever and ever
I will keep you safely in my heart. 
 

By Amanda Burns 
8/25/2009 Tyler "Itchy" Burg's 1st Day of Kindergarten

 

 

© Amanda Saylor nee Burns. All rights reserved