our conversation
was punctuated by
the screech of my
windshield wiper blades
and we talked about
how if you were
the thunder, then I
was the rain

the clink of bullets hit the floor.
you adjust my stance, tell me,
"here, hold it this way instead."
tell me to steady my breathing,
stop my shaking, take aim,
and pull the trigger.
its the eve of one of the
biggest days of my life,
and you're there by my side,
like you always have been.
you've been through this before.
you've seen the best and worst
this has to offer and you're telling
me it'll be okay if i take that step.
i couldn't do it without you.
so the next day, i steadied my
breathing, stopped my shaking,
took aim, and pulled the trigger,
just the way you taught me.

You are my biggest inspiration and
my sense of motivation and
I wouldn't be who I am without your hand
to guide me through all these years.
You taught me everything that I know and
you've helped me through all of the new
challenges thrown my way.
Do you remember when we sat on the steps
by the door upstairs and stared at the moon?
It felt like closure for both of us and it's
one of my favorite memories.
Do you remember running away to the beach
for ****** pina coladas and to sit in the
sand for stolen lunch breaks?
I'll never forget stuffing your trunk with bags of
clothes with that secret smile and knowing that
I won't tell if you won't.
I've never had more comfort than knowing I
had you beside me during my worst moments,
even an entire country apart.
When the time comes, I hope I can be
half the mother that you are to me.