A Mothers Goodbye

I stepped outside, I saw you sitting there, Small and frail, But still you smiled. As your body turned against you, It was I that cried. I sat next to you, Tears in my eyes, The only tears anyone saw. A million times I hated you, For the lessons you thought me, Preparing me for a life of hardship, Hardening my skin, Deepening my soul You were the only one who held the key past the shell, The one who let me breathe I asked how you stayed happy, How you stayed strong, You replied in the softest of voices, Why not me? Why not me? I sat and wept, Next to the only person who loved me. The last words you said to me, And my parting words to you, The words in you gave me the keys to myself, The 3 words that I repeat each night before I sleep, Hoping that they will leave this earth and travel to you, A million miles away, I Love You.