Written when my oldest left home before I was ready. A parent’s plea.

I remember when you showed up
We held our breaths until you breathed
It seems to me that when you showed up
You never told us you might leave
Now I find myself standing here,
Looking out this open door
Same scene, but a different role,
Than the one I played before
Now it’s time for you to go
There’s still a few things you should know

CHORUS
Keep your heart open wide even when it hurts
Make sure you speak your mind, make sure you listen first
Be a fool for God or love, but not for worthless dollars
When you see that something’s wrong, stand up and holler
When the lonely darkness falls
I know somebody you can call

I remember holding you
When you threw up in my bed
I remember trying to sleep
While you were jumping on my head
It was only yesterday
You were standing just knee high
How is it I turn around
And now we’re standing eye to eye
Time’s a thief, and I’ve been robbed
I have to say these things, it’s still my job

CHORUS

You can’t say I never told you
You can’t say you never knew
You can’t say I never said
That I love you

Sometimes I wake up at night
My mind runs back across the years
All the chances that I missed
To hold your hand and quell your fears
All the things I meant to say,
All the things you need to know
The only thing that I can do right now
Is just to let you go
I know, it’s time for you to go,
Let me say these things to you
That I know you already know

Keep your heart open wide even when it hurts
Make sure you speak your mind, make sure you listen first
Be a fool for God or love, but not some worthless dollar
When you see that something’s wrong, stand up and holler
When the lonely darkness falls
When your spirit starts to stall
When no one left to call…
Come on and call

© Bill Harley, all rights reserved. Reprints with permission only.