In 16 years will you remember how I took care of you?
How I helped Mom and Dad to raise you?
Will you remember how we screamed and fought and came to blows,
and then how we made up, by some unspoken rule, some unsaid force that told us we couldn’t stay angry…
Will you remember how you played house with me and I rocked you to sleep when you were a baby?
Will you remember how I teased you and made you cry,
or how I held you and wiped the tears from your eyes?
Will you remember all the stupid names I called you, those terms of endearment;
Baby
Honey
Sweetie
How you wanted to be just like me…
How you threatened to beat up anyone who hurt me and I would laugh and tell you to calm down.
Will you remember how I held your hand as if I’d fly away if you let go?
Will you remember all the things I taught you?
Like how to make mac ‘n’ cheese,
and the things you taught me in return,
like how to play Black Ops.
Or things I gave you,
like ice cream cones that melted down your arms,
and the things you gave me,
like little figurines I keep on my shelf for everyone to see.
Will you remember how you stole my clothes, so I stole yours to get back at you?
Will you remember this poem and what it means to you?
Because I know that I will always remember what you mean to me.
How you are me world, my light, my anchor to hold me down in this crazy world when sometimes I’d just like to fly away…
And maybe that’s why I hold on so tightly to your hand…
Please never, ever forget that I love you.
In 16 years will you forget?