Evolution

My daughter is coming To spend some time with us This coming spring. I see her seldom, now That we live so far apart, And, because we are friends At last, I miss her. I think of all those years When she was growing up And, yes, older and married. We had so many problems, She and I, so many issues We couldn’t seem to solve, No matter what! We fought and cried - said Such hurtful things! She seemed Only hateful, trying her wings, Scornful of us, her teachers, And all who truly thought We wished her well. Even then, There were times she needed us. A late night call in tears – “Mom, could you come get me?” And, of course, I would. I sat and held her hand. At home, in cars, in hospitals. But soon enough, we were Angry with each other again! Years passed, as they are wont to do, And time has changed us both. Like children, taking baby steps, We’ve both tried out new ways To trust each other once again, And find that mother-daughter bond, The precious caring that we’d lost. We’ve stumbled oft, slipped into Worn out ways too many times. But now we climb back up And try again. Little by little we’ve Formed a new definition of “us”. Finally, together, we have built A bridge, a strong and lasting love.