For my parents - Just to let you know

In this fast moving world we find,
We never have the time, we’re blind
To other people’s needs and fears,
We very seldom see their tears.
We don’t realize the harm we do,
By never saying I love you.
We’re so caught up in the daily grind,
We miss our loved ones, but never mind
A short little visit, a quick phone call,
We think that solves it, but not at all,
We lose so many different things,
A funny joke, the way she sings.
A laugh together, a tender touch
A heartfelt moment – we lose so much

So I’m taking the time just to let you know
How much I care, though it might not show
And maybe when you’re sad or blue,
You will read this poem, specially for you.
I hope it brings a smile to your eye,
Some warmth to your heart – well, let me try.

There are many ways to love someone,
A cat, a dog, or a friend that’s just fun.
Or that first date in your innocent youth,
Pounding heart, breathless – come tell the truth.
Then there’s the love that you feel for your partner
In sickness, in health, for now, ever after.
But the love that I think is the strongest of all
Is the love between family – that kindred call
That parental love has to bear all the sorrow
The aches and the pains, trepidation of tomorrow
A parent’s love is fraught with tension and fear,
“It’s long after twelve, why isn’t she here?”
Why doesn’t she listen, or answer her cell
Why does he always put me through this hell?”
Yet with they’re with you - all is forgiven
Its smiles and hugs, you forget that they’ve driven
Out of your mind with worry and fear
Everything’s okay now – now that they’re here

It seems I have painted a picture too dark
For there’s many a day where there’s no cloud or mark
When he gives you some flowers just out of the blue
Or when your little girl sings her new song to you
When your little boy wakes up you early one morn
Singing happy birthday at the crack of dawn
These are the memories that make it worthwhile
That lighten your hearten, bring warmth to your smile
And your children - they have their memories too
A kiss, a cuddle, a trip to the zoo
I remember when I was ill - feeling low
You carried me outside, let me touch the snow
And bus rides at night with Cliff in the front
Slowly – head down - asleep he would slump
So now that I have told you that we’re happy too
And all of it stems from our love for you
It’s important for us to know there’s someone that cares
To run to, to talk to, someone who shares
As long as we’ve each other, we’re always ahead
The main thing to remember though seldom said
That you will always be there, tucked in my heart,
When we’re close together or when we’re far apart
And I just wanted to say thanks to you two
For all that you’ve done, and for just being you.