I See

No map. No keys. No compass.

Only opportunities to rebel.

No life lessons to remember or reference...

Few childhood stories to retell.

Standing at the crevice

Without grips. No safety line.

Wanting desperately to dive head first...

No idea as to what you might find.

Your needs formed your ideas -

Your wants challenged you each day.

You were scribing your own handbook...

Determined to NOT lose your way.

You teetered on an invisible line

Stretched between failure and pride.

Never realizing your incredible strength

That kept evolving deep inside.

Yet your heart still wanders often

To conversations lost.

Abiding by your own decisions

But at what emotional cost?

Growing up with limited guidance

Can make you fail or truly thrive.

What creates you is your attitude

And determination to survive.

I saw you dive into that crevice

Without fear of what you might find.

Bringing with you your hand written guidebook

Leaving childhood behind.

You waver no more on that tightrope!

Using confidence, tenacity and grit

That no one could possibly have taught you -

And your resolution to never quit!

I look at the man you've become -

The father, the teacher, the friend...

My heart bursts with such incredible pride

And, of course, love for you without end.