Don't you see;
don't you see how hard she's trying?
To impress you,
to be the best for you.
To push herself,
to give her all.

Don't you see;
don't you see how hard she works?
Even when her body hurts,
even when she's sick and tired;
even when her mind's on fire.

Don't you see?

I do.
I see, and I believe
in her;
and everything that she gives.

I see the desire, the want, the try...

the impossible.

All she wants to do is make you proud.
Daddy,
**Don't you see?

I am thankful for the way you smile;
and bring light into my life.
For the way you laugh;
making everyone laugh with you.
I am thankful for your hyper moments;
your voice; your ambition.
I am thankful for your very creation;
for who you are, what you are, what you stand for.
I am so unbelievably thankful for the little moments I share with you throughout my day.
They make me so happy, I don't think you know.
Traveling in the summer, buying you chicken nuggets, watching T.V...
It all means so much to me.
I am so thankful.
For you.
For me.
For our friendship.
You will be the hardest thing I will never ever let go.
I just had to tell you
that I am thankful.
For you, my friend.

Lately I've been living another life
I play pretend all day
I smile and say hello
Standing tall and pretty
wearing the mask of a happier girl

I come home and busy myself
with things that are normal
things that I would never do
I push my pens and paints away
hide them with my tears
and make believe that it's all okay

But when no one's home and I'm all alone
I crawl under my kitchen table and cry
I throw cups at the wall
and scream until my voice gives out
because I'm tired
of pretending this is the good life

One day you'll see me.
And the best part-

I will have finally found the strength,
*to not even turn around.

I cling to your clothes,
left on my floor in a hurry.
I press them into my face,
and breathe in deep.
A thousand memories rush to my eyes,
crystal clear as you travel through my senses.
Sometimes I put them on,
pretending I can feel the warmth you left in the soft cotton fibers,
pressing against my waiting skin.