at five years old, your grandfather died
you were too young to understand
why your mother was crying
but you sat there and held her hand.
you were there for her,
she needed you.
shortly after you turned eight,
your mother gave birth to another child.
she paid less attention to you,
but you were patient.
because she was happy.
during junior high you had your first dance.
your mother took you to lessons for a month,
dressed you in a nice suit,
and took countless pictures of you and your date.
you were embarrassed,
but didn’t say anything.
you loved it when she was happy.
as you got older, about 17, your mother was diagnosed with cancer.
she needed you,
and you were by her side.
you were there every moment of every day.
you gave her comfort,
took care of her.
when she passed later that year,
you were devastated.
she had left, and along with her went everything she had taught you

about treating a woman.