Thank you
for the hugs, I can still feel
the ones that taught me something
about love.
The candies in your pocket
kisses goodnight
good morning
and just because.
For never leaving a room
without goodbye
and aways entering
with more to say
than you ever did
because you were too busy
listening.

Thank you
for meals made
and cups of sweet tea
washing my hair
in the kitchen sink.

Thank you
for the time you gave
to teach me.

Thank you
for the foods
that will forever
remind me of you –
pickle-pea salad
and fried chicken,
I still see you
standing in the kitchen
pan on the stove
and the sound of the sizzle,
the history channel is on
and I wish now
I spent more time
asking
about your life.

Thank you
for lifting me on your shoulders
so I could get closer to the fireworks
people and skyline
and for when I grew older
lifting me again
when my feet weren’t the only part of me
on the ground.

Thank you
for all the parts of you
I see in me
too.

Thank you
for the letters
even when
words were hard
when speaking to me, felt heavy
because you didn’t know me
anymore.

Thank you
for loving
when loving wasn’t enough.
Thank you for staying
until I became someone
we could both
be proud of.

Mostly,
I just want to say
thank you.

For everything.