Today marks the 4th anniversary of my father’s passing. And with Father’s day around the corner, I was reminded of this poem that came to me in the middle of the night, back in August of 1997. I was in a place of deep motherly instinct — my third baby boy sleeping peacefully on my chest — feeling so profoundly blessed, knowing our family was now complete.
In that quiet moment, a wave of emotion washed over me: gratitude for my children, for the gift of being a mother, for the love of my parents, and for a father who taught me so much simply through his presence.
I gently put Bradley down, and the feelings poured out into words. I’m forever grateful to have felt them, written them down, and most of all — to have shared them with my father.
The Tight Rope of Life
When I was a young girl
Just looking for blame
You reasoned with me
You showed me no shame
I’ll never forget
The pain in your eyes
One quiet afternoon
With grey or blue skies
You said “watching your kids grow
Is humbling that’s true
And when you have to let go
There’s not much you can do
The tight rope called life
Is the one we all walk
As your father I’ll be here
When you need to talk
But for now I am helpless
And I pray that you’ll call
If you ever lose balance
If you feel you may fall”
As I look at my baby
It makes sense to me now
Your wisdom and kindness
Is what taught me how
Now let me take your seat
You can finally rest
It’s my turn to watch
And I will do my best
To teach virtue and goodness
To be patient and true
To this child that needs me
To be just like you
I love you Pops
Lyne
Aug, 1997